Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) satellite, jointly developed by China and France, was launched into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province on June 22.
- It is the most powerful satellite yet for studying gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).
- The primary objective of SVOM is to look for GRBs across the universe. Once found, the satellite will measure and study their electromagnetic radiation properties.
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)
- Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the result from some of the universe’s most explosive events such as the birth of black holes and neutron star collisions.
- GRBs are bursts of highly energetic gamma rays, which last from less than a second to several minutes.
- They are known to occur in distant realms of the universe.
- There are two types of GRBs, short GRBs and long GRBs.
- Short GRBs are a result of the collision of either two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole, resulting in a black hole. They last for less than two seconds.
- Long GRBs are produced due to the explosive deaths of massive stars. These can last for two seconds or longer.
- Scientists observe GRBs as they carry information pertaining to violent events such as the end of life of massive stars, the formation of black holes in distant galaxies, and how they shape the universe.
