On March 5, 1979, what was called “the most powerful burst of energy ever recorded” occurred. It was described as follows:

The burst of gamma radiation picked up by the satellites lasted for only two tenths of a second. But in that brief instant it emitted as much energy as the sun does over a period of one thousand years. It was followed by a 100-second reverberation tail. Scientist thought the instruments had been temporarily affected, but it was …