Gamma-ray bursts 'common in storms' (BBC)

By Rebecca Morelle
Science Correspondent, BBC News, San Francisco

Scientists have shed light on a mysterious phenomenon that occurs in thunderstorms.

They have discovered that gamma-ray bursts - the most powerful explosions of energy in the Universe - are far more common on Earth than was thought.

Data from Nasa's Fermi satellite shows that all storms produce the blasts and an estimated 1,100 occur each day.

The findings were presented at the American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting.

Until recently, it was thought that gamma-ray bursts were only found in deep space.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30491840