Gemini and Blanco telescopes unlock clues to origin of longest gamma-ray burst ever observed

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are among the most powerful explosions in the universe, second only to the Big Bang. We observe that the majority of these bursts flash and disappear within a few seconds or minutes. But on July 2, 2025, astronomers were alerted to a GRB source that was exhibiting repeated bursts that would last more than seven hours. This event, called GRB 250702B, is the longest gamma-ray burst ever seen by humans.