A structured jet explains the extreme GRB 221009A.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 37285439.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adi1405 and PMC identifier 10246904.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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Abstract
Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are powerful cosmic explosions, signaling the death of massive stars. Among them, GRB 221009A is by far the brightest burst ever observed. Because of its enormous energy (<i>E</i><sub>iso</sub> ≈ 10<sup>55</sup> erg) and proximity (<i>z</i> ≈ 0.15), GRB 221009A is an exceptionally rare event that pushes the limits of our theories. We present multiwavelength observations covering the first 3 months of its afterglow evolution. The x-ray brightness decays as a power law with slope ≈<i>t</i><sup>-1.66</sup>, which is not consistent with standard predictions for jetted emission. We attribute this behavior to a shallow energy profile of the relativistic jet. A similar trend is observed in other energetic GRBs, suggesting that the most extreme explosions may be powered by structured jets launched by a common central engine.