I can calculate the motions of the heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people
— Sir Isaac Newton
I was busy in Michigan this week...didn't notice the big glow in the sky LOL...
But here's a several billion year old gamma burst that occured well before the Earth existed!
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/21mar_nakedeye.htm?list880574
Astrophotography equipment