In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists from the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have identified the highest-energy gamma-ray spectral line ever observed from cosmic celestial bodies. This spectral line peaks at an astounding 37 million electron volts, marking a significant advancement in our understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).
Published in the latest issue of Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, the study highlights how GRBs, some of the universe's most violent and explosive phenomena, occur during the collapse of massive stars or the merging of binary compact stars like neutron stars and black holes.
Led by Xiong Shaolin, the research team utilized a combination of China's space-based and ground-based telescopes, including Insight-HXMT, GECAM-C, and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory, to achieve this unprecedented measurement. By collaborating with the Fermi Gamma-ray space telescope, they conducted a detailed spectral analysis of GRB 221009A, the brightest GRB ever observed on October 9, 2022.
The team's meticulous work revealed a spectral line in GRB 221009A's energy spectrum, characterized by a power-law decay pattern in both line energy and flux, alongside an almost constant and narrow line width as the burst progressed. These findings provide vital insights into the physics and mechanisms behind GRBs and the relativistic jets they emit.
This discovery underscores the importance of international collaboration and advanced technology in unraveling the mysteries of the extreme universe. With ongoing missions like the Einstein Probe and the Space Variable Objects Monitor, China continues to spearhead efforts in GRB observations, paving the way for future astronomical breakthroughs.
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Chinese scientists discover highest-energy gamma-ray spectral line
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