This blast, designated GRB 080913, probably originated in the catastrophic explosion of a massive star.

BBC: Observatory detects record burst

Dr Levan presented his paper at the GRB 2013 Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee.

BBC: NASA's Swift satellite observes massive supernova stars

Karsten Jonsen is a research fellows at IMD, and Nikolas Kinley is head of leadership, GRB Functions at Barclays Bank.

FORBES

Its Burst Alert Telescope is set up to catch the intense but fleeting flash of very high-energy gamma radiation that initially signals a GRB event.

BBC: Observatory detects record burst

Thomas also notes that many shallow-water species went extinct during this epoch, lending credence to the idea that GRB-precipitated solar UV radiation could have been the cause.

FORBES: Decoding A Great Earth Die-Off: Was A Gamma-Ray Burst Really The Trigger?

In the event that the GRB exercises its pre-emption rights in full, Anglo American will acquire an incremental 30 percent interest in De Beers, taking its total interest to 75 percent, and the consideration payable by Anglo American would be reduced proportionately.

FORBES: Anglo American Receives Final Regulatory Approval for De Beers Acquisition