Why Some of the Universe's Most Powerful Explosions Go Undetected

Astronomers investigated GRB 260310A, a strange cosmic explosion that produced a surprisingly bright afterglow despite its weak initial gamma-ray burst. Observations revealed that the explosion came from a massive star, but Earth viewed its powerful jet from an unusual side angle. A delayed X-ray brightening also exposed a complex structure, with an ultrafast central jet surrounded by a slower, wider outflow. The discovery could help explain how many powerful stellar explosions remain hidden from our view. Thank you for listening to Bedtime Astronomy — your guide to the cosmos. New episodes on space exploration, NASA missions & the latest astronomy breakthroughs. This episode includes AI-generated content.