Light dawns on dark gamma-ray bursts

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), fleeting events that last from less than a second to several minutes, are detected by orbiting observatories that can pick up their high energy radiation. Thirteen years ago, however, astronomers discovered a longer-lasting stream of less energetic radiation coming from these violent outbursts, which can last for weeks or even years after the initial explosion. Astronomers call this the burst's afterglow.

While all gamma-ray bursts [1] have afterglows that give off X- [...]

Full story at http://spacefellowship.com/news/art24471/light-dawns-on-dark-gamma-ray-bursts.html