Project DetailsGamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are among the most energetic and transient events observed in the universe, with emission concentrated in the high-energy gamma-ray part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Since their unexpected discovery in the late 1960s by U.S. satellites initially deployed to monitor for nuclear detonations, GRBs have become a central focus in high-energy astrophysics. These bursts, observable across vast cosmological distances, present unique challenges due to their brief and intense nature, with implications for both astrophysical phenomena and the structure of the universe.
GRBs are typically classified into two categories based on their duration: short GRBs, lasting less than 2 seconds, and long GRBs, which can extend to several minutes. This duration-based classification suggests distinct progenitor systems and astrophysical origins: short GRBs are commonly associated with the mergers of compact objects such as neutron stars, while long GRBs are linked to the core-collapse of massive stars.
Beyond the basic classification into short and long GRBs (SGRBs and LGRBs), our understanding of their underlying nature remains limited. Each burst can be analyzed in multiple dimensions: as photon counts or histograms (by energy), as spectra, or as time series, represented as unique light curves. Like fingerprints, each light curve is distinct, displaying unique temporal and spectral features. To gain deeper insights into these phenomena, we applied clustering techniques to group the signals, aiming to identify recurrent patterns and enhance our understanding of GRB characteristics.
