The most destructive objects

Gamma-ray bursts

Caused either when a massive star collapses into a black hole or when two neutron stars collide, the total gamma-ray energy emitted is 100 trillion trillion times more than the largest nuclear weapon ever tested on Earth.

Supernovae

An explosion which occurs upon the death of a star, supernovae are at least eight times more massive than our Sun. A supernova can commonly release twice the amount of energy as a typical gamma-ray burst.

Hypernovae

Some supernovae can be particularly brutal. Known as hypernovae, these events are associated with the origin of long gamma-ray bursts. The amount of energy released can be 100-times greater than an ordinary supernova.

Quasars

The most energetic form of active galactic nuclei, a single quasar can release as much energy in a second as the Sun can release in 100,000 years. They can even be 100 times as luminous as an entire galaxy.

Magnetars

A particularly vicious form of neutron star, the strength of a magnetar’s magnetic field is a billion-times stronger than any magnet created by scientists on Earth. Such a set-up fires highenergy X-rays and gamma rays into space for 10,000 years.