Astronomers Discover Unique Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 250702B

In a spectacular astronomical event, astronomers have discovered a cosmic gamma-ray burst of high energy, named GRB 250702B. This burst is unique due to its occurrence multiple times in a single day, a phenomenon never observed before by scientists.

What is GRB 250702B?

A gamma-ray burst (GRB) is known to be one of the most violent astronomical events, believed to originate from the catastrophic death of massive stars. However, GRB 250702B stands out because it erupted several times over the course of a single day, prompting questions about how such a burst could occur.

Antonio Martin-Carrillo, a co-researcher in the study, explained that this burst differs from anything observed in 50 years of GRB studies.

How was it Discovered?

GRB 250702B was first detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope on July 2, 2025, though its location was initially uncertain. The following day, the VLT telescope used the HAWK-I camera to pinpoint the burst’s source outside the Milky Way galaxy, a finding later confirmed by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Possible Causes of the Burst

Gamma-ray bursts typically occur either when massive stars collapse into black holes or neutron stars, or when a star approaches a black hole and is torn apart in what is known as a tidal disruption event.

However, GRB 250702B lasted an entire day, which is 100 to 1000 times longer than most other bursts. This has left scientists puzzled about the mechanism behind such an event.

What Makes GRB 250702B Unique?

Gamma-ray bursts are not usually recurrent, as the events producing them are inherently catastrophic. Yet, GRB 250702B erupted multiple times, making it a unique phenomenon in the field of astronomy.

If this burst resulted from the collapse of a massive star, it would be an unprecedented collapse.

Location and Impact of the Burst

Observations have shown that GRB 250702B occurred outside the boundaries of our galaxy, in another galaxy. The exact distance of the burst’s source has not yet been determined, but it is believed to be billions of light-years away.

Martin-Carrillo noted that the fact this burst is extragalactic means it is far more powerful than initially expected.

Conclusion

Scientists are still working to understand the underlying causes of this mysterious burst and continue to monitor its location using advanced telescopes like the VLT and the James Webb Space Telescope. This study represents a significant step toward understanding this unique astronomical event, offering new insights into the world of cosmic explosions.