Science WireSpace

A gamma ray burst from the Andromeda galaxy yesterday? No.

Posted by
Deborah Byrd
and
May 28, 2014
The Andromeda galaxy, aka M31, as seen by the orbiting Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission in ultraviolet and optical light. Image via NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler/Erin Grand
The Andromeda galaxy, aka M31, as seen by the orbiting Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission in ultraviolet and optical light. Image via NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler/Erin Grand

UPDATE. The Swift X-Ray Telescope team has taken a look at the X-ray data, and has shown that there was a mistake made in yesterday’s analysis showing a possible gamma ray burst in the Andromeda Galaxy. Apparently, the analysis error gave the source (located in a globular cluster in the halo of the Andromeda galaxy) an X-ray brightness 300 times higher than what it should have been.

The Andromeda Galaxy is the next-nearest spiral galaxy. It is also known as M31. It is about 2.5 million light-years away.

So, as of now … no gamma ray burst in M31. Darn.

The story began late yesterday (May 27, 2014), when social media started to buzz about the possible detection of this very nearby gamma ray burst (GRB). If it had been a gamma ray burst, it would have been the closest one ever observed.

The Swift mission has spotted about 90 new gamma ray bursts per year since it launched in November 2004.

Click here to read the full story of the false alarm about a GRB in M31.

BlueskyThreadsBuffer
Posted 
May 28, 2014
 in 
Science Wire

Deborah Byrd

View Articles
About the Author:
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

Like what you read?
Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.

Your email address will only be used for EarthSky content. Privacy Policy
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

More from 

Deborah Byrd

View All
Happy May Day! Today is an astronomy holiday
May 1, 2026
Hercules is between 2 bright stars: Vega and Arcturus
April 30, 2026
What is a micromoon? We have 2 coming in May
April 29, 2026
Here’s how to see the Lunar X and V at 1st-quarter moon
April 23, 2026