Images of Ultra-Rare Cosmic Calamity Unravel a Longstanding Mystery

Images of Ultra-Rare Cosmic Calamity Unravel a Longstanding Mystery

Last year, astronomers discovered the brightest Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient (LFBOT) ever observed. A complete understanding of this type of event, an exceptionally bright blue flash that quickly fades, has long eluded scientists. However, a new analysis of the brightest burst last year has unlocked key insights into the event, and scientists now believe the blue cosmic outburst is caused by black holes shredding massive cosmic companion…

Record-Breaking Cosmic Burst Caused by Stellar-Mass Black Hole Shredding Its Companion

Using data gathered by a suite of space- and ground-based telescopes, astronomers have discovered AT 2024wpp, the most luminous fast blue optical transient (LFBOT) ever observed. The post Record-Breaking Cosmic Burst Caused by Stellar-Mass Black Hole Shredding Its Companion appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.

Bright Blue Cosmic Outbursts Likely Caused by Large Black Holes Shredding Massive Companions

In 2024, astronomers discovered the brightest Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient (LFBOT) ever observed. LFBOTs are extremely bright flashes of blue light that shine for brief periods before fading away. New analysis of this record-breaking burst, which includes observations from the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation, challenges all prior understanding of these rare explosive events.

Bright Blue Cosmic Outbursts Likely Caused by Large Black Holes Shredding Massive Companions - Quickly-fading luminous blue outbursts were once thought to be unusual supernovae, but a new outburst, the brightest yet, suggests otherwise

In 2024, astronomers discovered the brightest Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient (LFBOT) ever observed. LFBOTs are extremely bright flashes of blue light that shine for brief periods before fading away. New analysis of this record-breaking burst, which includes observations from the International Gemini Observatory, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation, challenges all prior understanding of these rare explosive events.