NASA has recently made a groundbreaking discovery – the most powerful cosmic explosion ever recorded. The gamma-ray burst (GRB) was detected two billion light years away from Earth, and it has already yielded valuable scientific data. GRBs are intense blasts of gamma rays, which are the most energetic electromagnetic waves in the universe. In fact, a single gamma-ray photon can be a million times more powerful than a visible-light photon. These powerful bursts come from two superdense neutron stars or massive stars that explode at the end of their lives, ultimately forming black holes.

A fleet of observatories, both on and above Earth, were able to catch the closest-ever gamma-ray burst, which has already provided scientists with a plethora of valuable data. The latest GRB observed, named GRB 221009 A, originated two billion light-years away in the direction of the constellation Sagitta, and resulted from the supernova of a massive star ending its life and forming a black hole.

Interestingly, gamma-ray bursts were first discovered due to nuclear weapons tested in space. In the 1960s, Vela satellites launched by the US military detected gamma radiation pulses emitted by these tests. This led to the realization that similar bursts were also happening in space.

One of the most remarkable things about gamma-ray bursts is their tight focus. Thin beams concentrate explosive energy in a very narrow direction, making them incredibly powerful. The power of these bursts can cause intense radiation in a very short amount of time, which can be deadly to living beings. However, due to the fact that they are so rare and occur so far away from Earth, they do not pose a significant threat.

In conclusion, the discovery of the most powerful cosmic explosion ever recorded is a groundbreaking achievement for NASA and for the scientific community as a whole. The valuable data collected from this gamma-ray burst will help us to gain a better understanding of the universe and the powerful forces that shape it.