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Today in History: Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 080319B Seen by Naked Eye

3/19/2026

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Summary

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On March 19, 2008, astronomers detected gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B using the Swift satellite. This event marked the farthest object visible to the naked eye, with a peak visual magnitude of 5.8, remaining visible for about 30 seconds. It showcased the immense power of gamma-ray bursts, second only to the Big Bang in luminosity.

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Story summary

On March 19, 2008, astronomers detected gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B using the Swift satellite. This event marked the farthest object visible to the naked eye, with a peak visual magnitude of 5.8, remaining visible for about 30 seconds. It showcased the immense power of gamma-ray bursts, second only to the Big Bang in luminosity.