107: Biggest Bang Ever! (Again?)

Astronomers have spotted what seems to be a supermassive black hole devouring a huge gas cloud — and in the media it's being claimed as the Biggest Explosion in the History of Explosions. Except, is it though? And didn't we already talk about this, way back in Episode 61? And anyway, what does "biggest" even mean? Or "explosion", for that matter? Or "time"? It's all very confusing. Emily's here to make sense of it all.Syzygy Merch! Get it at the store.

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Syzygy is produced by Chris Stewart and co-hosted by Dr Emily Brunsden from the Department of Physics at the University of York.

On the web: syzygy.fm | Twitter: @syzygypod

Things we talk about in this episode:

• The research paper

• A good article about the story

• The OG Episode 61: Biggest Bang Eva!

• Energy units, including ergs and joules

• Gamma Ray Bursts

• The Gamma Ray Burst of 2022

• BOATS (and GOATS)

• Vale D Alexander Kann