Brad Cenko

Jets are a ubiquitous phenomena in astrophysics —- spanning a remarkable range in size, velocity, and energy output. Of particular interest are the systems capable of generating relativistic ejecta — accelerating material to nearly the speed of light — as these systems generate physical conditions that cannot be reproduced in laboratories on Earth. In this talk I review some recent discoveries in this area enabled by wide-field monitors across the electromagnetic spectrum, including: the most luminous and energetic cosmic explosion discovered to date (GRB221009A), a new class of long gamma-ray bursts that appear to be powered by compact binary mergers (and produce r-process elements), and the peculiar luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs). Finally, I will highlight future space-based missions that will help to unravel the mystery of these relativistic explosions.