NASA Scientists Uncover Mystery Behind Seven-Hour Gamma-Ray Burst
In 2025, astronomers detected an unusually long gamma-ray burst (GRB) that lasted for seven hours, named GRB 250702B. This event was recorded using data from five high-energy telescopes, marking it as the longest-lasting GRB ever observed. Typically, GRBs last only a few minutes, with the previous record being around 15,000 seconds. The discovery of GRB 250702B has prompted scientists to seek novel explanations for its extreme duration, as it cannot be explained by the known origins of GRBs, which usually involve the collapse of massive stars or the merger of neutron stars. Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, including Eliza Neights, are exploring the possibility of a 'helium merger' as the cause, where a black hole consumes a helium star, resulting in a prolonged jet of energy. 
