China releases first scientific data from gamma-ray burst detection satellites

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) released the first batch of scientific data produced by two satellites sent into space two years ago to detect gamma-ray bursts on Saturday.

The satellites, launched on December 10, 2020, are undertaking the Gravitational Wave High-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) mission.

Among the data published are detailed observations of 75 gamma-ray bursts from January 2021 to May 2022, which can contribute to a multiband, multi-messenger study of the cosmic phenomena for global astronomers.

The GECAM mission monitors high-energy celestial phenomena such as gravitational-wave gamma-ray bursts, the high-energy radiation of fast radio bursts, special gamma-ray bursts and magnetar bursts. It also includes the study of neutron stars, black holes and other compact objects and their merger processes.

On October 9, 2022, a device mounted on the GECAM detected the brightest gamma-ray burst ever known, according to the National Space Science Center (NSSC) under the CAS.

The data was uploaded to the NSSC’s website and is available to the public.