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-- Record breaking explosion continues to astound astronomers --
University of Leicester astronomers have used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to peer across 7.5 billions light-years, halfway back to the big bang, to photograph the fading optical counterpart of a powerful gamma-ray burst.
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST; also known colloquially as "the Hubble" or just "Hubble") is a space telescope that was carried into Earth orbit by the Space Shuttle in April 1990. It is named after the famous American astronomer Edwin Hubble. The HST is part of NASA's Great Observatories series, with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space Telescope, and is a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency.
Hubble images taken on Monday April 7 show the fading optical counterpart of the titanic blast. The object erupted in a brilliant flash of gamma-rays, light and other radiation at 2:12 a.m. EDT on March 19, and was detected by the UK/US/Italian gamma-ray burst watchdog satellite, Swift, which carries a University of Leicester camera.
This particular burst astonished astronomers by breaking the record for being the intrinsically brightest naked-eye object ever seen from Earth. For nearly a minute, this single distant star was brighter than ten million galaxies.
Gamma-ray bursts are thought to be caused by the death of a very massive star. Such explosions, sometimes dubbed "hypernovae", are more powerful than ordinary supernova explosions, and are far more luminous, in part because their energy seems to be concentrated into blowtorch-like beam that, in this case, was aimed directly at Earth.
The researchers were taken aback by the new HST images because the fading ember of the burst is still so bright it drowns out any light from the galaxy in which it sits.
"This is particularly surprising precisely because it was such a bright GRB initially. Previously, bright bursts have tended to fade more rapidly, which fits in to the theory that brighter GRBs emit their energy in a more tightly confined beam", said Prof Nial Tanvir who led the Hubble campaign.
"The slow fading leaves astronomers puzzling about just where the energy came from to power this GRB, and makes HST's next observations of this object in May all the more crucial.", said Dr Andrew Levan of the University of Warwick, another team member.
Prof Tanvir will be giving a public lecture at the University on 27th May, explaining the mysterious phenomena of gamma-ray bursts, and giving an update on the latest results.
Latest News
If you don't use it... freeuse it! | |
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 | 11 February 2010If you don't use it. .... 11 Feb 2010 If you don't use it... freeuse it! |
Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby | |
 | Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in GrobyPolice are appealing for witnesses following the assault of two teenage boys in Groby. The incident happened at around 6.... 11 Feb 2010 Appeal following assault of two teenage boys in Groby |
Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |
Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell | |
| Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres MonsellHomes of elderly residents in Eyres Monsell are being given a security boost to help prevent distraction burglaries. Officers from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Constabulary will be visiting up to 300 properties to carry out security checks and install crime prevention devices such as door chains and bolts, window locks, kick boards to strengthen front and back doors, personal alarms and digital spy cameras, where appropriate.... 11 Feb 2010 Free home security devices for elderly residents in Eyres Monsell |
Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers | |
| Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers Elderly residents in Leicester are being warned following a series of distraction burglaries by two men claiming to be police officers. Four distraction burglaries were reported to police in the city during the evening of Wednesday February 10.... 11 Feb 2010 Warning after distraction burglars claim to be police officers |
Related News
Gamma Ray Bursts | |
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 | The brightest cosmic explosion ever witnessed was observed by scientists at the University of Leicester in March 2008.... 22 May 2008 Gamma Ray Bursts |
University of Leicester space scientist says texting is at least four times more expensive than receiving scientific data from space | |
 | A University of Leicester space scientist has worked out that sending texts via mobile phones works out to be far more expensive than downloading data from the Hubble Space Telescope!... 12 May 2008 University of Leicester space scientist says texting is at least four times more expensive than receiving scientific data from space |
FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT TO LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER | |
 | Jeff Hoffman, the 64-year-old former NASA astronaut with five space missions and over 20 million miles of space travel under his belt is to teach a new generation of physicists about human space flight and robotic missions.... 11 Jul 2008 FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT TO LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER |
Out of this world experience at University of Leicester | |
 | Visitors to the University of Leicester for a free public open day on April 26 can expect an 'out of this world' experience.... 08 Apr 2008 Out of this world experience at University of Leicester |
Free energy advice on offer | |
 | REVELLERS will be given the chance to make a difference to their carbon footprint during Summer Sundae this weekend.... 07 Aug 2008 Free energy advice on offer |
Relevant News
Out of this world experience at University of Leicester | |
|---|---|
| Visitors to the University of Leicester for a free public open day on April 26 can expect an 'out of this world' experience.... 08 Apr 2008 Out of this world experience at University of Leicester |
LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS 50 YEARS AS A SPACE SCIENTIST | |
 | An eminent British scientist, whose work has been celebrated among 100 Discoveries that Changed the World is to give a public lecture at the University of Leicester about his work, spanning half a century, as a space scientist. Professor Ken Pounds CBE, FRS, Emeritus Professor of Space Physics at the University of Leicester is a UK pioneer of space science and a founder of the space programme at the University of Leicester - now among the biggest academic space research centres in Europe.... 30 Apr 2008 LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS 50 YEARS AS A SPACE SCIENTIST |
Employers work with University of Leicester students to enhance employability and management skills | |
 | A programme designed to develop and enhance students' employability and management skills has been successfully run at the University of Leicester in conjunction with leading employers.... 01 May 2008 Employers work with University of Leicester students to enhance employability and management skills |
Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University | |
 | Professor Stephen Hawking to deliver 50th Anniversary lecture at University of Leicester The University of Leicester will be making history on Wednesday 28th May when one of the best-known and most remarkable scientists of our time will talk on the beginning of time and the cosmos. As part of the University s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Professor Stephen Hawking, CBE, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, will discuss theories on the origin of the Universe in a public lecture.... 01 May 2008 Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University |
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
 | A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
Most Read News (today)
Cannabis Farm Closed | |
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 | A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed |
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
| A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
 | A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
 | Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity |
Two men charged with murder | |
| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
Most Read News (this month)
Cannabis Farm Closed | |
|---|---|
| A cannabis factory has been discovered by officers from Hinckley Road local policing unit. The factory was discovered at a house on Beaconsfield Road, off Narborough Road, at around 11.... 19 Apr 2008 Cannabis Farm Closed |
NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN | |
| A prestigious new scholarship has been announced by the University of Leicester?s Department of Mathematics in memory of an outstanding former member of staff.... 02 May 2008 NEW SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED IN MEMORY OF OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICIAN |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
| A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity | |
| Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity Sgt Julie Strong, Jo Adams, PCSO Sarah Eastwood, PCSO Maggie Hill, Jonathan Rogers & Chris Barratt with some of the donated bikes Police in Leicester are helping a local charity to get back on track after it was targeted by thieves. Neighbourhood officers from Hinckley Road police station have organised the donation of 20 mini motos and motorbikes to Nacro, the crime reduction charity, to help it continue its work tackling anti-social behaviour and engaging with young people.... 12 Jun 2009 Motorbikes donated to Leicester charity |
Two men charged with murder | |
| Two men charged with murder A 36-year-old man and a 53-year-old man have been charged with murder following the death of 51-year-old Mrs Vina Patel on Thursday January 15, 2009. Both men are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday July 3, 2009.... 02 Jul 2009 Two men charged with murder |
Most Read News (alltime)
Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial | |
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| Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trialClockwise from top left: Gaffar, Mirza, Desai and KhanA PCSO has been praised today after his actions helped to secure the prosecution of four men for GBH, kidnap, false imprisonment, robbery and blackmail. At around 8.... 13 Nov 2009 Lengthy sentences for four accused in Kidnap trial |
Don't be dead in the water this summer | |
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Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University | |
| Professor Stephen Hawking to deliver 50th Anniversary lecture at University of Leicester The University of Leicester will be making history on Wednesday 28th May when one of the best-known and most remarkable scientists of our time will talk on the beginning of time and the cosmos. As part of the University s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Professor Stephen Hawking, CBE, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge, will discuss theories on the origin of the Universe in a public lecture.... 01 May 2008 Stephen Hawking Lecture at Leicester University |
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 | Central and local government have both adopted the Internet to promote their activities and to get feedback from citizens. But how successful has this been?... 17 Apr 2008 DIGITAL DEMOCRACY: WASTE OF TIME OR ROARING SUCCESS? |
Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall | |
| Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall Two men have been charged in connection with drug dealing in the Netherhall and Thurnby Lodge areas of Leicester. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of possessing a Class A drug.... 11 Feb 2010 Two men charged in connection with drug dealing in Thurnby Lodge and Netherhall |