In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope detected a gamma-ray burst lasting nearly seven hours, the longest ever recorded. Dubbed GRB 250702B, the event far exceeded the duration of typical gamma-ray bursts, which usually last from milliseconds to a few minutes. Its extended, multi-peaked emission has left astronomers scrambling to understand its unusual nature.

The burst was first observed on July 2, 2025, and repeatedly triggered over several hours, producing multiple intense spikes of gamma rays. Astronomers continued to track its afterglow in optical light and X-rays for days, making GRB 250702B a truly unprecedented cosmic explosion. Unlike standard GRBs that fade quickly, this burst showcased sustained high-energy activity, hinting at a novel mechanism behind its formation.

One leading hypothesis suggests that the burst was powered by an intermediate-mass black hole, a “middleweight” ranging from hundreds to thousands of times the Sun’s mass, tearing apart a star. If confirmed, this would mark the first observation of such a black hole producing a gamma-ray jet, offering rare insight into a largely elusive class of cosmic objects.

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An alternative theory proposes that a smaller black hole, only a few times the mass of the Sun, was orbiting a compact helium star. In this scenario, the black hole gradually consumed the star from within, triggering the prolonged gamma-ray emission. While both hypotheses have supporting evidence, the exact cause of GRB 250702B remains uncertain.

This discovery challenges existing models of gamma-ray bursts and stellar deaths, suggesting that extreme cosmic events may be more diverse than previously thought. Researchers are now analyzing the extensive data collected from multiple observatories to refine their understanding of the burst’s origin.

The observation of GRB 250702B underscores the importance of continuous high-energy monitoring of the universe. With each new record-breaking event, astronomers move closer to uncovering the mysteries of black holes, gamma-ray jets, and the extreme physics shaping our cosmos.

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