NASA Image: Neutron Star Collision

Nasa have released an artist's impression of two neutron stars colliding to produce a gamma ray burst. 

Earth was blasted by a high-energy burst of radiation from space in the 8th century, scientists believe. 

Gamma ray bursts are the most powerful explosions known in the universe. 

Each one corresponds to around a thousand Earths being vapourised into pure energy in seconds. 

Picture: Nasa