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Gamma Ray Bursts

In this discussion, Dr. Raul Jimenez describes one of the most fascinating enigmas in science: gamma ray bursts (GRBs), the most powerful explosions in the universe. Dr. Jimenez has been involved in the modeling of these powerful bursts. He explains how he and his colleagues analyze the relationship between GRBs and life: areas of the universe where planets might be relatively safe - or not - from the destructive force of GRB radiation. Earth, we learn, has been relatively fortunate, but at least one of the ancient mass extinctions on our planet may have been due to the radiation from a GRB.

Raul Jimenez, Ph.D., Professor of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, ICREA/University of Barcelona; Radcliffe Fellow, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University. (from scienceforthepublic.org)

Gamma Ray Bursts


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