💥 Record: a seven-hour gamma-ray burst that astrophysicists cannot explain

A cosmic explosion that lasted seven hours: this is the unusual spectacle recently observed by astronomers. Named GRB 250702B, this gamma-ray burst shattered previous duration records.

Unlike typical gamma-ray bursts that last only a few seconds or minutes, GRB 250702B showed prolonged activity. Detected on July 2, 2025, it was subsequently followed by ground-based and space telescopes, revealing emission over a very long period.


To track this source, observations involved state-of-the-art instruments such as the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope. These tools located the explosion in a distant, dusty galaxy where visible light is obscured, allowing only infrared and high-energy radiation to pass through.

Several scenarios are considered to explain this extraordinary explosion. It could be the collapse of a massive star, the merger of stellar remnants, or even a star being torn apart by a black hole. Current data do not allow for determining the exact cause, as the researchers indicate in their study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.


This exceptional duration offers a rare opportunity to study the physics of extreme environments. Scientists were able to analyze both the explosion and the host galaxy.

In the future, GRB 250702B will serve as a benchmark for comparing other similar events. It paves the way for new research into the mechanisms behind the most energetic gamma-ray bursts, with coordinated international observations to unravel the workings of these cosmic explosions.