Gamma-ray bursts are among the most intriguing astrophysical events. Although short-lived, these explosions are the most luminous objects in the universe. However, the detailed mechanisms driving these bursts are still partly unknown. On page 1822 of this issue, the observations reported by Mundell et al. will allow us to better understand the physical processes that power these celestial sources. By measuring the polarization of the electromagnetic radiation emitted immediately after a burst, Mundell et al. can help us unravel the role of magnetic fields in controlling the outflows produced by these explosions.
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