What are gamma-ray bursts?

Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful explosions in the Universe. They are produced in cataclismic events such as the core collapse of a massive star or the merger of two compact objects. Despite more than fifty years of research, several aspects of their physical processes are still under debate. Our research activity on GRBs includes radio observations, multi-wavelength data analysis, modelling and interpretation of the emission, population studies, and development of predictions to guide strategies and the construction of new observational facilities.

GRBs are also accompanied by the emission of gravitational waves, as demonstrated by the spectacular multi-messenger event GW170817, observed in August 2017. Our group is part of an international effort aimed at understanding this kind of sources and at maximising the community's ability to observe and characterize future multi-messenger sources.

Click on the poster to start your journey through the physics of gamma-ray bursts.

Also, click here for a nice and pedagogical introduction to gamma-ray bursts!