More Space About Space
Monster star burst was brighter than full Moon
“PARIS (AFP) – Stunned astronomers described the greatest cosmic explosion ever monitored — a star burst from the other side of the galaxy that was briefly brighter than the full Moon and swamped satellites and telescopes.
The high-radiation flash, detected last December 27, caused no harm to Earth but would have literally fried the planet had it occurred within a few light years of home.
Normally reserved skywatchers struggled for superlatives.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Rob Fender of Britain’s Southampton University.
“We have observed an object only 20 kilometers (12 miles) across, on the other side of our galaxy, releasing more energy in a 10th of a second than the Sun emits in 100,000 years.”
I would have liked to have seen this.
Michael February 19, 2005 at 1:37 am
That was cool.
Thanks for the link.
Take care
Michael