Zuhair Benkhaldoun, Director of the Oukaimeden Astronomical Observatory of the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, said the Observatory participated in monitoring the largest explosion in space on October 9, after receiving a notification from international observer networks.
The explosion of gamma rays, the most intense form of electromagnetic radiation, has been detected by telescopes orbiting the Earth and its residual light is still being studied by scientists all over the world; Research continues to find out more details about this phenomenon.
Benkhaldoun said, in a statement to Hespress, that “this explosion is unique because it is the largest explosion that contains the largest energy of the gamma-ray type. The latter appears when a very high-energy incident in space occurs. “
The Moroccan astronomer explained that, in addition to “the enormous energy, these rays are characterized by not lasting long, as the brightness fades, which requires observers to have a high ability to interact quickly, a feature available at the Oukaimeden Observatory through remote-controlled telescopes “.
He pointed out that the observatory is involved in several networks to receive these warnings and that it received a warning about the explosion, so the telescopes were directed to the place where the explosion occurred to monitor it. He said that “such explosions must be monitored by several telescopes to be accurately demonstrated.”
As for the astronomical explanation for this phenomenon, Benkhaldoun explained that the occurrence of such an explosion could be the result of a star explosion or a collision between large objects such as black holes or a neutron star, adding that preliminary studies suggest, so far, that the cause of the explosion is linked to a star that turns into a black hole.
Benkhaldoun expressed his pride in the participation of the Oukaimeden Astronomical Observatory in this important astronomical discovery and said that this matter “gives a greater reputation to the Moroccan observatory and researchers in astronomy”.
The Oukaimeden Astronomical Observatory, affiliated with the Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech, is located in the Oukaimeden region, 75 kilometers south of Marrakech, at an altitude of over 2,700 meters, has collaborations with numerous international laboratories and observatories and has contributed to many astronomical discoveries.
