Astronomers Detect Gamma-Ray Burst’s Magnetic Fingerprint
Astronomers have used the Very Large Array to detect polarized light and Faraday rotation from a gamma-ray burst afterglow for the first time. This discovery allows scientists to map the magnetic fields surrounding these powerful cosmic explosions.
Why it matters
This breakthrough provides new data on the magnetic environments of the universe's most energetic events, helping to solve long-standing astrophysical mysteries.
Using NSF’s Very Large Array (VLA), astronomers made the first radio detection of polarized light and Faraday rotation from a gamma-ray burst afterglow, offering an unprecedented glimpse of the magnetic fields surrounding one of the Universe’s most powerful explosions.
Pure scientific reporting on astronomical research.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in