At the beginning of October 2022, astronomers recorded the most powerful gamma splash in history, which became a big challenge for scientists. Known as GRB 221009a or informal - BOAT (BRIGTEST OF ALL TIME), this energy discharge occurred at a distance of 2 billion light years from Earth. Researchers, after publishing the results in Nature Communications, found that this gamma splash influenced the upper part of the ionosphere of our planet-the first in history a similar phenomenon.
The initiated, probably, the explosion of a massive star, Boat struck with its power, exceeding all the previous gamma splaughs 10 times. According to scientists, this phenomenon has become not only a record but also a unique influence on the atmosphere of the Earth. Researchers found changes at the top of the ionosphere at a height of about 500 km, pointing to major changes in the electrical field of this atmosphere layer.
Although the consequences for humanity have proven to be insignificant, scientists warn that such a gamma splash, if arising closer to the ground, can cause serious problems, including depletion of the ozone layer. Currently, the ozone shell remains stable, but these new studies emphasize the importance of studying space phenomena to maintain the stability of our atmosphere.
