On October 9, 2022, the most powerful gamma-ray burst in history was recorded. The outburst was designated GRB 221009A and disturbed the upper part of our planet’s ionosphere, which has never happened before.
Scientists were able to find a link between the gamma-ray burst and the reaction of the Earth’s ionosphere more than 40 years ago. The flare sent a stream of high-energy particles toward our planet, which disturbed the electromagnetic field.
Similar cases have been recorded repeatedly, but not above 350 km. But the gamma-ray burst of GRB 221009A shook the Earth’s ionosphere at an altitude of about 500 km. The flash lasted 7 minutes, but the electromagnetic field disturbance lasted several hours.
The GRB 221009A event occurred at a distance of approximately 2.4 billion light-years from our planet. Scientists believe that the burst was the result of a supernova explosion and the birth of a black hole. The flare blinded all Earth-based telescopes except for the Chinese GECAM-C, as it was undergoing maintenance.
