A group of astronomers, including some from India, have detected a very short
gamma-ray burst, which turned out to be the shortest gamma-ray burst caused by
the death of a massive star.  

The powerful burst of high-energy radiation that lasted for about half a
second and had been racing towards the Earth for nearly half the present age of
the Universe, the Union ministry of science and technology announced on
Tuesday.

The burst was detected by NASA’s Fermni Gamma-ray Space Telescope on August
26, 2020. It turned out to be the shortest gamma-ray burst caused by the death
of a massive star.

What are Gamma-ray bursts?

Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful events in the Universe. They are
detectable across billions of light years.

Short-duration gamma-ray bursts have long been suspected to arise from
compact binary mergers.

What was special about this gamma-ray burst?

This short, but powerful burst has been named GRB200826A. It originated
from a dying star. The burst had been racing toward Earth for nearly half the
present age of the Universe. This is the first time astronomers have found that
a dying star can also produce short bursts.