Astronomers Catch a Gamma-Ray Burst Minutes After Detonation With Breakthrough Millimeter Observations

Scientists used the Submillimeter Array on Maunakea to observe a gamma-ray burst within minutes of its discovery, marking the fastest-ever millimeter-wavelength observations of such an event after a Swift alert. The rapid follow-up enabled near real-time imaging of the burst and its fading afterglow, offering new insights into the jet physics of these colossal explosions and paving the way to even quicker responses in the future.