Astronomers investigated GRB 260310A, a strange cosmic explosion that produced a surprisingly bright afterglow despite its weak initial gamma-ray burst.

Observations revealed that the explosion came from a massive star, but Earth viewed its powerful jet from an unusual side angle. A delayed X-ray brightening also exposed a complex structure, with an ultrafast central jet surrounded by a slower, wider outflow. The discovery could help explain how many powerful stellar explosions remain hidden from our view.

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