gamma-ray burst
noun
gam·ma-ray burst
ˈga-mə-ˈrā- 
variants
or less commonly gamma ray burst
plural gamma-ray bursts also gamma ray bursts
: a brief, powerful jet of gamma rays detected deep in space that is generated by the collapse and explosion of a celestial object
… researchers … have discovered a gamma-ray burst (GRB) approximately 2.4 billion light-years away in the constellation Sagitta that ranks as the brightest ever observed.—
Space Daily
Space DailyEventually, though, the neutron star slows down, probably because of magnetic braking. Then it implodes, touching off a gamma ray burst.—Govert Schilling
—abbreviation GRB
Govert SchillingExamples of gamma-ray burst in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, while there are numerous active galaxies with supermassive black holes in that region, none of them was displaying activity at the time that could explain the neutrino, nor was a gamma-ray burst detected from that direction at that time.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 May 2025
Supernovae or gamma-ray bursts could explain the spikes, too—but only by occurring rather close to our planet, and that should’ve left behind other forms of evidence that, so far, scientists haven’t found.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 1 May 2025
Before this research, scientists didn't recognize that some nearby gamma-ray bursts are also part of this massive structure.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The cataclysmic clash released ripples in space-time, known as gravitational waves, as well as light from a gamma-ray burst.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gamma-ray burst
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Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 May 2025
Supernovae or gamma-ray bursts could explain the spikes, too—but only by occurring rather close to our planet, and that should’ve left behind other forms of evidence that, so far, scientists haven’t found.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 1 May 2025
Before this research, scientists didn't recognize that some nearby gamma-ray bursts are also part of this massive structure.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The cataclysmic clash released ripples in space-time, known as gravitational waves, as well as light from a gamma-ray burst.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gamma-ray burst
Cite this Entry
“Gamma-ray burst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamma-ray%20burst. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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