A photon-like event reported at about 300 trillion electron volts (300 TeV) came from the direction of gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A, but scientists have not established that the burst produced it. If that association is real, ordinary physics says the journey is puzzling: gamma rays at such energies can be absorbed by background light. Two theoretical proposals offer possible ways around the problem—one involving Lorentz-invariance violation, the other combining that idea with axion-like particles. Neither proves that new physics is real.
What was reported—and what remains uncertain
The Carpet-3 air-shower array reported a photon-like event with an estimated energy of 300 TeV from the direction of GRB 221009A. The event was recorded 4,536 seconds after the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (Fermi-GBM) trigger, according to the primary study by Dmitry D. Ofengeim and Tsvi Piran, published in Physical Review D on 27 October 2025 (American Physical Society article record).
Direction and timing make the burst a possible source, not a confirmed one. Ofengeim and Piran state the central caveat plainly: “If the association with this gamma-ray burst is real, then it poses two puzzles.” Their analysis asks what could explain the event if it belongs to the burst; it does not establish that it does.
Why should a 300 TeV gamma ray be absorbed?
In conventional physics, a high-energy gamma-ray photon can collide with lower-energy background light and produce an electron and a positron. This process, called gamma-gamma pair production, removes photons from the gamma-ray beam. For a photon traveling from a cosmological source, the expected absorption makes survival at 300 TeV difficult to explain under ordinary assumptions.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match#1 Best Overall
- 【Excellent Optics】Astronomical telescope features 80mm aperture 600mm(f/6.7) focal length-The big aperture can capture more light; high transmission multi-fully coated optical lens can improve light transmittance, reduce the reflection of light. It will bring you more bright and clear images.
- 【Portable & Stable】Our refractor telescope has a backbag, an adjustable aluminum tripod and an upgraded phone adapter. All accessories can be packed into the bag, which is convenient for you to carry and storage for traveling. The tripod is stable and the height can adjust from 17.7" to 52", which is suitable for adults and kids. With the phone adapter, you can take amazing photos through your phone.
- 【Easy to Operate】 This telescope is easy to assemble even for astronomy beginners and kids. You can set up easily with the detail installation manual and video. No tools are required. It’s a great astronomy gift telescope for adults, astronomy enthusiasts, beginners and kids 8-12.
- 【Optimum Magnification】Our telescope for kids and adults is equipped with two replaceable excellent-quality eyepiecesa (20mm and 9mm) for 30X and 66X magnification. A moon filter transmits only 13 percent of the incoming light and improving contrast. Also with 5x24 finderscope, you can locate objects easily. A great option for astronomy lovers to explore the moon, Saturn and Jupiter.
- 【Satisfaction Service】We provide 3 years satisfaction service. If you have any questions about the product and service, please feel free to contact us to get 24-hour technical support from our expert team. Whether observing moon or viewing planets, our telescope can meet your all needs. It’s a great telescope for adults & 8-12 kids & astronomy beginners.
The puzzle is conditional on the event’s origin and propagation. The observation does not by itself show that a photon from the burst crossed the entire distance to Earth without absorption: the source association is uncertain, and the proposed explanations depend on theoretical assumptions.
Proposal 1: Lorentz-invariance violation
Ofengeim and Piran examine whether Lorentz-invariance violation (LIV)—a hypothetical departure from the symmetry underpinning special relativity—could account for the event if it is associated with GRB 221009A. In the models they consider, LIV can shift the energy thresholds for interactions such as pair production, potentially making the universe more transparent to an extremely energetic photon. It can also make photon travel time depend on energy, offering a possible explanation for a late arrival.
Rank #2
- Superior Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect full positive telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
- Magnification: Come with two replaceable eyepieces and one 3x Barlow lens.3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. 5x24 finder scope with mounting bracket and cross-hair lines inside make locating objects easily.
- Wireless Remote: This refractor telescope includes one smart phone adapter and one Wireless camera remote to explore the nature of the world easily through the screen and take amazing celestial images.
- Adjustable Tripod: This telescope allows for many different viewing positions with a adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and a carry bag, the telescope and tripod can fit inside the bag for easy traveling and storage.
- Satisfaction: Buy with confidence from a leading manufacturer.
The paper finds that first-order LIV appears incompatible with constraints from the burst’s TeV afterglow, while viable solutions emerge for higher-order models. That result is therefore model-dependent: the conclusion changes with the form of LIV assumed and with whether the Carpet-3 event belongs to the burst’s afterglow. The authors report a second-order, subluminal LIV scale of 1.30, with a −0.35/+0.56 interval, in units of 10−7 Planck energies at 95.4% credibility. This is an interval for a parameter within their analysis—not a measured departure from relativity or a probability that new physics has been discovered (Ofengeim and Piran, Physical Review D).
Proposal 2: axion-like particles plus LIV
A separate proposal by Giorgio Galanti and Marco Roncadelli combines two ideas rather than relying on LIV alone. A Physics World report published 30 September 2026 says their framework invokes photon–axion-like-particle (ALP) mixing in magnetic fields to help with propagation at lower energies, then uses LIV to address the 300 TeV event. In this account, ALPs alone do not explain the highest-energy event within the parameter range considered.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- SMARTPHONE-POWERED SKY TOUR: No experience needed! Just dock your phone, launch the StarSense Explorer app, and follow the on-screen arrows to locate stars, planets, nebulae, and more.
- PATENTED STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY: Unlike other astronomy apps, StarSense Explorer uses sky recognition technology to turn your phone into a celestial navigation system, analyzing star patterns overhead to pinpoint your telescope’s position.
- TONIGHT’S BEST TARGETS, INSTANTLY: The app generates a curated list of the top objects to see based on your time and location. See planets, bright nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city—and even more from dark skies.
- SIMPLE SETUP, SMOOTH TRACKING: Features a manual altazimuth mount with altitude slow motion adjustment with a sliding rod. Follow the on-screen arrows to your target; when the bullseye turns green, you can view it clearly through the eyepiece.
- 114MM REFLECTOR WITH IMPRESSIVE VIEWS: The 4.5" Newtonian reflector with high-reflectivity coatings delivers sharp, vivid views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and deep-sky favorites like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy.
This proposal is distinct from Ofengeim and Piran’s LIV-only analysis. Its details here are those reported by Physics World; the original Galanti–Roncadelli paper is not independently cited here. The combined framework remains a theoretical possibility, not an observationally established route by which the event reached Earth.
How the two explanations differ
| Question | Ofengeim and Piran | Galanti and Roncadelli |
|---|---|---|
| Main mechanism | LIV may shift interaction thresholds and alter energy-dependent photon travel time. | Photon–ALP mixing is proposed for lower-energy propagation; LIV is invoked for the 300 TeV event, according to Physics World. |
| What it addresses | One LIV framework is used to discuss both opacity and late arrival, conditional on the burst association. | A combination of effects operating in different energy ranges, as summarized by Physics World. |
| Evidence status | Peer-reviewed theoretical analysis; not a detection of LIV. | Theoretical proposal summarized in a 2026 science-news report; not an observational confirmation. |
| Key caveat | The source association, emission history and LIV model assumptions matter. | The report says ALPs alone fall short at 300 TeV; the combined scenario is hypothetical. |
Does the event prove relativity is wrong?
No. The event is a candidate whose connection to GRB 221009A is uncertain. The LIV analysis is conditional on that connection and yields model parameters rather than a direct measurement of Lorentz-symmetry violation. The ALP-plus-LIV idea is also a proposal, not proof. The available studies do not establish a validated probability that new physics is the correct explanation.
Rank #4
- Superior Optics: Dianfan astronomy telescope features a focal length of 800 mm and a fully coated 90 mm objective lens. The large aperture gathers more light for brighter, clearer views, high-transmission coatings enhance contrast and color for sharp, vivid images for an enjoyable stargazing experience
- Powerful Magnification: With two eyepieces and a 3× Barlow lens, this telescope offers 32×–240× magnification. It allows you to observe craters and lunar seas on the surface of the Moon. With the 45° zenith mirror, images are upright and correctly oriented for terrestrial viewing, making distant targets details easier to observe. The telescope is ideal for beginners and astronomy enthusiasts
- Quick Setup & Beginner-Friendly: User-friendly design with clear instructions makes assembly simple—ready in about 15 minutes. Smooth focusing helps you quickly locate targets. Perfect for families to enjoy stargazing and explore the night sky together
- Portable & Versatile: Lightweight design with a sturdy stainless steel tripod ensures stable, steady viewing. Easy to carry in the included bag, making it perfect for travel and outdoor adventures. Suitable for stargazing, birdwatching, wildlife observation, and exploring cityscapes
- Professional Astronomical Telescope: The Dianfan 90x800 telescope combines quality , functionality and reliability. It delivers high-resolution views that bring the universe closer. Designed for adults high powered, it inspires interest in astronomy and science while encouraging exploration of the starry sky
Further observations could test whether energy-dependent propagation signatures recur and help distinguish models. Until then, the careful conclusion is that the reported event motivates possible explanations, but neither its source nor the need for new physics is settled.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BRIGHT, SHARP VIEWS ANYWHERE: Unlike many beginner telescopes, this quality refractor features fully coated glass lenses and a 70mm aperture for crisp, clear views of the Moon, planets, and daytime scenery—all in a lightweight, travel-ready design.
- PERFECT FIRST TELESCOPE FOR BEGINNERS: Designed for adults and kids to enjoy together, this beginner-friendly telescope sets up in minutes and delivers rewarding views with no prior experience required.
- EASY NO-TOOL SETUP: No complicated assembly or tools needed. The full-height tripod and telescope tube set up in seconds and pack neatly into the included backpack—so you’re always ready to observe on the go.
- DUAL EYEPIECES FOR VERSATILE VIEWS: Includes 20mm and 10mm eyepieces for wide and close-up views of celestial and terrestrial targets. Spot craters on the Moon at night or wildlife during the day.
- BONUS BACKPACK AND SOFTWARE: Includes a padded backpack with room for accessories, a finderscope, star diagonal, eyepieces, and a free download of Starry Night software to help you identify celestial objects and plan your next stargazing session.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
