Gamma-Ray Bursts: The cosmic objects with the largest electromagnetic luminosity in the Universe are the Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). In a finite time lasting less than 100s, the luminosity of such a single object equals the summed one of all the hundred billions of billions stars of the Universe. There are two main GRB families: the long GRBs, lasting more than 2s, and the short GRBs, lasting less than 2s. For a few decades, all GRBs were considered to originate from the formation of a standard isolated black hole with an ultrarelativistic jetted emission. The single supernova evolution: The understanding of single supernovae still presents some outstanding problems, in the attempt to explain the supernova ejecta only in terms of fermions fulfilling beta equilibrium undergiong gravitational collapse. What is clear is that, in the early phases of the gravitational collapse of the neutron star, a very rich process of nuclear burning occurs, leading to the formation of a core made by Nichel and Cobalt. The cosmic matrix: In all cases of long GRBs, the trigger originates in a supernova event occurring in a tight binary system composed of an evolved FeCO core and a companion neutron star. The further evolution of the system depends on the separation of the binary components. As a function of this separation, the hypercritical accretion of the supernova ejecta onto the companion neutron star may lead to the formation of a more massive neutron star or of a black hole: an authentic "cosmic matrix". The most striking results is that the optical emission of the supernova, peaking after 15 days, appears to be quite universal, independent of the different properties of the previous GRB phases.

About ICRA and ICRANet:

ICRANet, the International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network, is an international organization which promotes research activities in relativistic astrophysics and related areas. Its members are four countries and three Universities and Research Centers: the Republic of Armenia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, Italian Republic, the Vatican City State, the University of Arizona (USA), Stanford University (USA) and ICRA, the International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics (Rome, Italy). ICRANet headquarters are located in Pescara, Italy.