Unprecedented Gamma-Ray Burst Leaves Astronomers Stunned

The BOAT GRB, a gamma-ray burst that swept over Earth on October 9, 2022, was 70 times brighter than any other such eruption observed by scientists. The long GRB, which is expected to have a supernova emerge at its locale, is a once-in-10,000-year event and the brightest gamma-ray burst to hit Earth since human civilization began. The BOAT's brightness was due to all of the energy in its jet being focused into a very narrow angle, which happened to be focused right at Earth. Researchers are continuing to study the BOAT with a variety of instruments to determine whether or not it spawned a supernova.