Quick Guide to Gamma-Ray Bursts with an Overview of 11 Significant Bursts

Gamma-ray bursts (GRB) are flashes of electromagnetic energy that last a few seconds to a few hours. These bursts originate from extremely violent events such as collapsing supernovae and hypernovae. They are typically followed by the so-called afterglow which is less intense but longer lasting.

Listed below are 11 significant bursts since their discovery in the 1960s:

GRB 670702. It was the first detected gamma-ray burst in history; it was observed in July 1967 by the U.S. satellite Vela 4.
GRB 790305b. Observed in March 1979, this GRB was the first SRG megaflare ever seen. It was found to originate in a remnant of a supernova in a nearby galaxy.
GRB 830801. Observed in August 1983, this gamma-ray burst was the brightest GRB recorded to date.
GRB 970228. During this gamma-ray burst, the afterglow was observed for the first time in history. It occurred in February 1997.
GRB 980425. Though the connection between supernovae and gamma-ray bursts has been known earlier, it was physically confirmed only during the GRB 980425. The burst occurred in April 1998.
GRB 030329. Detected on 29th March in 2003, this gamma-ray burst was the first observed GRB that was followed by an afterglow displaying undisputed supernova properties. Interestingly, it was one of three GRBs that occurred on the same day.
GRB 050509B. Detected by NASA’s Swift satellite in May 2005, this GRB is significant for being the first observed short burst with an accurate positional measurement.
GRB 080319B. Another GRB that was observed by the Swift satellite, the GRB 080319B was the brightest event/phenomena seen in the universe in recorded history. It was so bright that is could be seen with a naked eye. Also, it had the brightest optical afterglow seen to date. The GRB 080319B occurred in March 2008.
GRB 080916C. Observed by NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, this gamma-ray burst is the most intense GRB in terms of energy released. It was detected in September 2008.
GRB 101225A. Also referred to as the Christmas burst, the GRB 101225A was observed on the Christmas Day in 2010. It lasted for an incredible 28 minutes, making it the longest lasting GRB observed to date.