Gamma ray burst, computer artwork. This is a side view of a Wolf-Rayet star that has exploded in a gamma ray burst (GRB) event. Two jets (white) have

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Gamma ray burst, computer artwork. This is a side view of a Wolf-Rayet star that has exploded in a gamma ray burst (GRB) event. Two jets (white) have erupted out of the core, through the surrounding nebula (blue). This is the collapsar theory of GRBs, which says GRBs result from the collapse of the core of a massive star. The spin or magnetic field of the black hole forms jets from surrounding material that is being ejected at near the speed of light. The jets are the source of the gamma rays of a GRB, a massive short-lived energy burst, hundreds of times brighter than an ordinary supernova. For GRB formation, see images R670/148- 152. For a GRB jet face on, see image R670/154.

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Size: 3000px × 2025px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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