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Gamma-Ray Bursts

2022 DEC 8

Preliminary   > Geography   >   Cosmology   >   Cosmology

Why in news?

  • Recently, a rare astronomical event involving a compact binary merger emitting long Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) twinned with kilonova emissions was reported.
  • This was confirmed by India’s largest optical telescope, Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT).

What is Kilonova?

  • A kilonova is a transient astronomical event that occurs in a compact binary system when two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole merge.
  • Kilonovae are thought to emit short gamma-ray bursts and strong electromagnetic radiation

About Gamma-Ray Bursts:

  • GRBs are massive but extremely bright, high-energy short gamma radiations which get released when massive stars collapse or die in the Universe.
  • They are the most powerful events in the universe, detectable across billions of light-years.
  • Astronomers classify them as long or short based on whether the event lasts for more or less than two seconds.

PRACTICE QUESTION

The term ‘kilonova’, sometimes seen in news, is associated with:

(a) Virology

(b) Waste management

(c) Digital communication

(d) Astronomy

Answer

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