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Today in History: Gamma-ray burst GRB 090423 detected from farthest object

4/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On April 23, 2009, the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission detected GRB 090423, a gamma-ray burst from a distant galaxy. Occurring at a redshift of z = 8.2, it represented one of the most distant astronomical objects identified at that time, showcasing the extreme energy and luminosity of gamma-ray bursts in the universe.

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Story summary

On April 23, 2009, the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission detected GRB 090423, a gamma-ray burst from a distant galaxy. Occurring at a redshift of z = 8.2, it represented one of the most distant astronomical objects identified at that time, showcasing the extreme energy and luminosity of gamma-ray bursts in the universe.