Artist's Impression of Gamma-Ray Burst GRB130606A (IMAGE)

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

Artist's Impression of Gamma-Ray Burst GRB130606A

Caption

Before light from the gamma-ray burst arrives at the Earth for astronomers to study, it passes through interstellar gas in its host galaxy (close-up view, left), and intergalactic gas between the distant galaxy and us (wide view, right). This gas filters the light by absorbing some colors and leaves a signature on the light that can be seen in its spectrum. This "signature" allows scientists to characterize the gamma-ray burst, its environment, and the material between us and the distant galaxy.

Credit

Gemini Observatory/AURA, artwork by Lynette Cook

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