Latest news with #BOAT
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
The brightest explosion ever seen is still baffling astronomers
On October 9, 2022, astronomers detected a big bang. But while not as big as the 'big bang' itself, experts quickly determined the gamma-ray burst (GRB) designated GRB 221009A was unquestionably the most powerful explosion ever observed by humans. The event was so impressive that it even earned a nickname—the Brightest of All Time, or BOAT. But even three years later, the BOAT continues revealing new information about these rarely seen, poorly understood, and mind-bogglingly massive energy eruptions. The latest findings are described by an international team of researchers in a study published this month in The Astrophysical Journal Letters What are gamma ray bursts? Even when not the BOAT, gamma-ray bursts are gigantic. In a matter of seconds, the average GRB can release as much energy as the sun has generated during its entire 10-billion-year lifespan. But this doesn't make it easy to follow all that energy back to its source. GRB gamma-ray signals weaken as they travel across the expanse of space, and seem to occur well outside the 100,000-light-year-wide Milky Way galaxy. For example, the BOAT was about 2.4 million light-years from Earth. Astronomers believe there are two main types of GRBs, neither of which are long-lived. A short-period GRB's initial phase lasts anywhere from a couple seconds down to only a few milliseconds, and is believed to form from the merger of neutron stars. Meanwhile, long-period GRBs (like the BOAT) last a few minutes, and appear to come from the universe's largest supernovae—the ones that give birth black holes. Either way, their afterglows can linger for hours or even months, providing researchers with time to collect as much data as possible. Although GRBs start with dazzling flashes of gamma radiation, their afterglows span multiple energy wavelengths. This afterglow was key to analyzing the BOAT and its aftermath. A GRB anomaly After NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and Swift Observatory spotted the BOAT, , an international team of astronomers at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma, Spain, quickly worked to train their Large-Sized Telescope prototype (LST-1) in its direction. Although the LST-1 was technically still in its commissioning phase and a full moon made observations tricky, researchers tracked the BOAT's activity for 20 days. This extended monitoring session allowed them to determine the upper limits of its powerful gamma-rays while also identifying potential formation properties. However, what astronomers saw contradicted one of the prevailing models of GRB energy emissions. No matter its root cause, a GRB always spews an extremely fast jet of ionized plasma or gas—but the shape of these jets has remained unclear. One previous theory calculated that a GRB's plasma beams emit in a T-shaped structure—a central cone of high-speed matter flanked by a wider spread of slower-moving material. Instead, the BOAT appeared to be fueled by a single jet containing a high-speed central jet wrapped in slower matter. There is still a lot left to learn about GRBs, including the exact mechanics of their formation. They can't all be as dramatic as the BOAT—astronomers estimate similarly sized GRBs only happen once every 10,000 years—but each detected event is an opportunity to better comprehend some of the universe's most intense moments. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Open air theatre reopens for the summer
An open air theatre has reopened for another year. Brighton Open Air Theatre is a 400-seat theatre in Dyke Road Park, Brighton. Throughout the summer, more than 70 events will be held at the venue. These include theatre productions, comedy, music, dance, drag, opera and several family shows. The season lasts until September 21. Summer Comedy Festival, 2022. (Image: Lucy MacDonald) The theatre is the brainchild of the late Adrian Bunting, a local playwright and performer. Throughout May, there will be some Brighton Fringe entertainment. In June and July, there are longer runs of plays including I, Joan, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The 39 Steps, Oh! What A Lovely War and Macbeth. (Image: Colin A Smith / BOAT) The Summer Comedy Festival also returns, featuring "big-name comedians". The theatre will also play host to some pride events in August. And there will be music improvisation, live music, and a new version of Tennessee Williams's Suddenly Last Summer. After Eagles, 2023. (Image: BOAT) General manager Will Mytum said: "We aim to bring great shows to the stage while keeping things affordable and supporting local artists. "Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, pack a picnic, grab a drink from the bar and enjoy the show."
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Brighton Open Air Theatre raises curtain on 11th summer season
An open air theatre is raising the curtain on its 11th summer season, which includes music, comedy, drag and family Open Air Theatre (BOAT), in Dyke Road Park, will host performances from Friday until 21 manager Will Mytum said the theatre aimed for "a balance of supporting local artists and keeping prices keen"."It's wonderful to welcome new visitors each season as well as our loyal regulars," he added. There will be more than 70 productions from when the venue opens, including a brand new version of Winnie The August, Drag in the Park: Pride Edition will celebrate Pride Weekend, and there will be theatre performances of Cinderella, Moby Dick and Twelfth Sara Pascoe, Romesh Ranganathan and Al Murray will also group Dad La Soul, which aims to address masculinity and men's mental health, will throw a family-friendly "block party" in Mytum said the theatre, which is completely self funded, aimed to keep prices low for the audience."We want to be a venue that anyone can come to," he added. The 400-seat theatre, a registered charity, was the brainchild of Brighton playwright and construction manager, Adrian April 2013 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and spent his final days planning for a long-held ambition to create an open air theatre in the left his life savings of £18,000 to kick-start the project and asked four of his friends to continue his dream after his death.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
African Development Bank and Bank of Africa Tanzania sign $7.5 million facility to boost trade finance
The African Development Bank ( and the Bank of Africa Tanzania (BOAT) have signed a $7.5 million trade finance transaction guarantee facility to boost trade finance activities of the Bank of Africa in Tanzania. Under this facility, the African Development Bank will provide a guarantee of up to 100% to confirming banks against non-payment risks arising from letters of credit and similar trade finance instruments issued by the Bank of Africa Tanzania. The facility will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local corporates engaged in the import sector. The facility aligns with efforts to bolster intra-Africa trade, contributing directly to the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ( Speaking at the signing event on March 10, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, the Bank's Country Manager for Tanzania, Patricia Laverley, stressed the importance of the facility in addressing Tanzania's trade finance needs, saying that given the country's import requirements, it will aid priority sectors such as trade, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. 'This facility will support trade by enabling BOAT to play a more strategic role in the regional and international market.' Representing BOAT's management, Deputy Managing Director Hamza Cherkaoui lauded the strong partnership with the African Development Bank, emphasizing its role in expanding trade finance capabilities across the continent. 'This partnership strengthens our ability to support businesses across various sectors by providing seamless trade finance solutions, expanding our confirmation network, and enabling access to top-tier confirming banks,' he said. The new Trade Guarantee facility aligns with Bank of Africa Tanzania's strategic priorities and the African Development Bank's broader objectives, including promoting regional integration, increasing food security, and industrializing Africa. It also supports Tanzania's Country Strategy paper 2021-2025, which focuses on enhancing the private sector business environment for job creation. It also aligns with the country's development vision (Vision 2025), which aims to build a strong and resilient economy capable of competing globally. The signing of the agreement marks a significant milestone in the African Development Bank Group's direct engagement with Tanzania's private sector, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening the country's financial sector and economic development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Contacts: Joyce Mulama Communication and External Relations Department media@ Bernard Muhati Principal Trade Finance Officer
