A gamma-ray burst (GRB) is one of the most powerful explosions in the universe. Here's a simple explanation with some emojis:

1. Massive star dies A very big star (much bigger than our Sun) runs out of fuel and can't hold up its own weight anymore.Star life ends → Core collapses(Big star) → (Boom!)☀️➡️⚫💥

2. Black hole or neutron star Form The core collapses into a black hole or a neutron star.A lot of matter falls in, spinning fast and heating up.⚫ or 🌀 forms at the center.

3. Jets shoot Out Two narrow, powerful jets of energy blast out from the poles of the core at nearly the speed of light. These jets shoot gamma rays – the highest energy type of light.🔭💫💥➡️➡️

4. We detect itIf one of those jets is pointed toward Earth, we see a gamma-ray burst. It might last from a few milliseconds to several minutes.🌍👀💥

There are also short GRBs, usually from two neutron stars colliding instead of a single star dying.🌌⚫+⚫ = 💥 (also creates gravitational waves!)and also

A gamma-ray burst (GRB) is the brightest known explosion in the universe!

Here’s why:

• Incredibly powerful: In just a few seconds, a GRB can release more energy than our Sun will emit in its entire 10-billion-year lifetime.⚡⚡⚡ > ☀️ (by a huge margin!)

• Outshines entire galaxies: During the burst, it can outshine millions or even billions of stars in a galaxy—all at once.💥 > 🌌

• Only lasts briefly: Despite being the brightest, the intense flash usually lasts from a few milliseconds to a few minutes, followed by an “afterglow” that fades over time.⏱️💥 then slowly dims.

So yes—if a GRB is pointed toward us, it becomes the brightest thing we can observe, even if it comes from billions of light-years away!