Gamma Burst

As far as the naked eye can see



Credit: NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler

Major Gamma Ray Outburst


On March 19, 2008, Swift discovered a bright Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB 080319B). The image shows the X-ray afterglow as seen by the X-Ray Telescope (left) and the bright optical afterglow as observed by the Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope on board Swift.

How far is it that we can see? 7.5 billion light-years.
How bright is the outburst? 2.5 million times more luminous than the brightest known super nova.
Where was it? In the northern constellation Bootes on March 19th 2008