Gamma Ray Burst may be most powerful yet seen in space

• "Because this burst is so bright and also nearby, we think this is a once-in-a-century opportunity to address some of the most fundamental questions regarding these explosions, from the formation of black holes to tests of dark matter models," Brendan O'Connor, a leader of teams observing the GRB said in a statement.

What's happening: Space telescopes detected the GRB, called GRB 221009A, on Oct. 9 with ground-based telescopes making followup observations of the event's aftermath.

• Researchers think the GRB was triggered by a star exploding in a supernova and in the process creating a black hole 2.4 billion light-years away.
• The GRB was so intense scientists think it even disrupted Earth's ionosphere, affecting long-wave radio transmissions.

The intrigue: Relatively nearby GRBs may also help scientists learn more about how elements heavier than iron — like gold and others — form in the universe.

• Earlier research found these elements can form when dense neutron stars collide with one another, spreading the heavy elements across the universe.
• But scientists think they might also be created during events like the one that produced this GRB.
• Followup observations made using the Gemini South Telescope in Chile will allow researchers to parse out more about whether those elements were created during this event, O'Connor added.