In 2022, humans witnessed the brightest space explosion in history, as the gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A event unfolded more than 2 billion light-years away from Earth. Despite its distance, the burst was powerful enough to impact Earth’s atmosphere, leaving astronomers astounded. Recently, researchers have identified the supernova responsible for the gamma-ray burst, but to their surprise, found no heavy elements around it, sparking a new astronomical mystery.
The international astronomical team that observed the historic GRB event noted that it lasted about 7 minutes and ejected photons toward Earth despite its vast distance. The energy released during the burst was higher than that of the Large Hadron Collider, causing ripples in Earth’s outer atmosphere. This event, known as the GRB 221009A, is considered the most influential cosmic gamma-ray burst in Earth’s history and occurs only once every 100,000 years.
Following the bright burst, a team led by Northwestern University patiently waited for the afterglow to subside before tracking the supernova produced at the source using the Webb Space Telescope. The supernova, which resulted from the collapse and explosion of a massive star, was confirmed to be the origin of the gamma-ray burst.
Interestingly, while this discovery solved one cosmic mystery, it deepened another. Supernovae that produce gamma-ray bursts are essential for creating heavy elements in the universe, yet despite expectations, no heavy elements were found around the supernova linked to the GRB 221009A event. This absence challenges previous theories about the formation of heavy elements and underscores the complexity of cosmic processes.
While the source of heavy elements in the universe is thought to stem from various processes, including neutron star collisions and supernova explosions, the lack of heavy elements around the GRB 221009A supernova introduces new questions about these mechanisms. Researchers emphasize the need to continue investigating other supernovae to unravel the mysteries surrounding the formation of heavy elements in the universe.
Published in the journal Nature Astronomy, this groundbreaking discovery opens up new avenues for exploring the cosmic phenomena that shape our universe.
Image Credit: NASA, DOE, Fermi LAT Collaboration
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