Science News Roundup: Gamma-ray burst in faraway galaxy disturbed Earth's upper atmosphere

Following is a summary of current science news briefs. Gamma-ray burst in faraway galaxy disturbed Earth's upper atmosphere About two billion years ago in a galaxy far beyond our Milky Way, a big star met its demise in a massive explosion called a supernova that unleashed a huge burst of gamma rays, which pack the most energy of any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Gamma-ray burst in faraway galaxy disturbed Earth's upper atmosphere

About two billion years ago in a galaxy far beyond our Milky Way, a big star met its demise in a massive explosion called a supernova that unleashed a huge burst of gamma rays, which pack the most energy of any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum. Those waves traversed the cosmos and finally reached Earth last year. This gamma-ray burst, researchers said on Tuesday, caused a significant disturbance in Earth's ionosphere, a layer of the planet's upper atmosphere that contains electrically charged gases called plasma.

(With inputs from agencies.)