The Story of Gamma-ray Bursts

Gamma-ray bursts are flashes of gamma rays connected with extremely energetic explosions in distant galaxies. They are the most luminous electromagnetic events occurring in the universe.

This illustration shows the life of a massive star as nuclear fusion converts lighter elements into heavier ones. When fusion no longer generates enough pressure to counteract gravity, the star rapidly collapses into a black hole. Energy may be released during the collapse along the axis of rotation to form a gamma-ray burst. (Credit: Nicolle Rager Fuller/NSF)

"The death star": BBC documentary on the first stars in the universe and gamma-ray bursts.