The biggest explosion since the Big Bang; Star ripped apart by a Black Hole unleashes history's most powerful and brightest known explosion
Imagine a star, more than three times the mass of our
Sun
, straying too close to a
supermassive black hole
. Instead of quietly fading, it's torn apart, and what follows is one of the most powerful explosions ever witnessed.
Astronomers now call these titanic outbursts
Extreme Nuclear Transients
, or ENTs, and they may be the most energetic cosmic phenomena since the universe's inception.
ENTs stand apart from regular
tidal disruption events
(TDEs) and supernovae by a staggering margin. The largest event recorded, named 'Gaia18cdj', unleashed 25 times more energy than the most powerful supernova ever found, equivalent to what 100 Suns would emit over their entire lifetimes, concentrated in a year.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The price of dental implants may surprise you
Dental Implants | Search Ads
Search Now
The discovery was led by Jason Hinkle, a doctoral researcher at the University of Hawai'i's Institute for Astronomy. While combing through data from ESA's
Gaia mission
, Hinkle noticed something odd: smooth, long‑lasting flares from galactic centers that looked nothing like typical cosmic fireworks.
'Gaia doesn't tell you what a transient is, but when I saw these smooth, long‑lived flares… I knew we were looking at something unusual,' Hinkle said
Live Events
Two such flares were traced to 2016 and 2018, with a third dubbed 'Scary Barbie' detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility in 2020. Follow‑up observations from the WM Keck Observatory and other telescopes confirmed their extraordinary brightness and longevity.
ENTs behave differently from more common
cosmic explosions
. Typical TDEs brighten and fade within weeks, but ENTs linger for months or even years, shining nearly ten times brighter than any previously studied events
For co‑author Benjamin Shappee, ENTs offer something deeper than just fireworks.
'ENTs provide a valuable new tool for studying massive black holes in distant galaxies, and we gain insights into black‑hole growth when the universe was half its current age,' he said.
While rare, estimated to be ten million times less frequent than supernovae, these cosmic giants offer a powerful way to study black holes in action.
With upcoming telescopes like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA's Roman
Space
Telescope, astronomers expect to find more ENTs, painting a richer picture of how black holes shaped our
cosmos
.
As Hinkle puts it, 'This was the final piece of my doctoral work… thrilling to think we're opening a new chapter in understanding how stars die and how black holes shape the universe.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Global warming crisis: Greenland ice sheet melts 17 times faster - will the climate change have worldwide impact?
Representative Image (AI-generated) Iceland is experiencing one of its hottest summers, with temperatures exceeding 26 degrees Celsius on May 15. According to the scientific network World Weather Attribution (WWA), this extreme heat is a result of global warming and has caused Greenland's ice sheet to melt 17 times faster than the historical average. The Arctic region is among the most affected by global warming, heating up four times faster than the rest of the planet since 1979, according to a 2022 study published in the scientific journal Nature. These findings come as global leaders shift their attention to Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. In the past, US President Donald Trump expressed interest in acquiring the mineral-rich island. The primary factor of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity and transportation, which releases pollutants like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This has caused the planet to warm at an unnatural pace. The Arctic remains one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 보이시나요? 서초동에서 이 보청기를 무료체험 할 45세 이상을 찾습니다 히어닷컴 Undo Friederike Otto, associate professor in climate science at Imperial College London and one of the authors of the WWA report, told AFP, 'The melting rate of the Greenland ice sheet , from a preliminary analysis, is 17 times faster. This means the Greenland ice sheet's contribution to sea level rise is significantly higher than it would have been without this heat wave.' 'Without climate change , this would have been impossible,' she added. The WWA also noted that May temperatures in Iceland were record-breaking, more than 13 degrees Celsius higher than the 1991–2020 average May daily maximum. According to the report, record highs observed in Iceland and Greenland this May could recur once every 100 years. Global impact of Arctic ice melt: Otto warned that extreme weather events can affect everyone. As the Greenland ice sheet melts, it releases vast amounts of freshwater into the salty oceans. Scientists warn that this may slow the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)—a vital ocean current that moves water from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and then the Arctic. A slowdown of this current could significantly disrupt global climate and weather systems. In addition to altering ocean currents, melting glaciers and ice sheets contribute directly to sea level rise, threatening to flood coastal areas worldwide and submerge low-lying island nations, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. For Greenland's indigenous communities, warmer temperatures and melting ice affect their traditional hunting practices, threatening both livelihoods and cultural heritage. Climate change also affects infrastructure in Iceland and Greenland. 'In Greenland and Iceland, infrastructure is built for cold weather. During a heatwave, ice melt can lead to flooding and damage to roads and other critical infrastructure,' the WWA report stated.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
7 essential facts about NASA satellites that students can't miss
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA )'s flotilla of satellites orbiting Earth and deep space is far more sophisticated than most people realise. These technological spectacles aren't just scanning skies and taking mind-boggling pictures; they're rewriting science and human understanding of space. These satellites are protecting our planet and unlocking cosmic mysteries far beyond. Here are 7 extraordinary capabilities that showcase the incredible ingenuity of modern space technology that students can't afford to miss. Laser highways in space replace traditional radio communication Whilst most people assume satellites communicate through radio waves, NASA's most advanced spacecraft are switching to laser technology for data transmission. These optical communication systems can beam information to Earth at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional radio systems, whilst providing crystal-clear signal quality that doesn't degrade over vast distances. The technology works by encoding data into pulses of laser light, creating what scientists call "optical highways" through space. This breakthrough allows satellites to transmit high-resolution images and complex scientific data in minutes rather than hours, revolutionising how quickly we can access information from the cosmos. Earth's gravity secrets revealed through microscopic measurements NASA's GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellites possess an almost supernatural ability to detect the tiniest changes in Earth's gravitational field. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트, 지금 시작하세요 [자세히 보기] 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo These twin spacecraft can measure gravitational variations as small as one part in a billion, effectively "weighing" different regions of our planet from space. This remarkable sensitivity allows scientists to track invisible phenomena with unprecedented precision. When ice sheets melt in Greenland or groundwater depletes in drought-stricken regions, these satellites detect the resulting gravitational changes before the effects become visible on the surface. The data has transformed our understanding of climate change, revealing that Earth loses approximately 150 billion tonnes of ice annually from its polar regions. Geostationary guardians that never sleep Some NASA satellites perform an incredible balancing act, appearing to hover motionlessly above specific points on Earth's surface. These spacecraft achieve this seemingly impossible feat by matching Earth's rotational speed in what's called a geostationary orbit, positioned precisely 35,786 kilometres above the equator. This strategic positioning allows continuous monitoring of weather patterns, natural disasters, and atmospheric conditions over the same geographical region 24 hours a day. Weather forecasters rely on these stationary sentinels to track hurricane development, monitor volcanic eruptions, and provide early warnings for severe weather events that save countless lives. Cosmic symphony: capturing the sounds of space Space may be a vacuum where sound cannot travel, but NASA satellites have found ingenious ways to "hear" the cosmos. These spacecraft detect electromagnetic waves, solar wind interactions, and planetary magnetic field fluctuations, then convert these signals into audible frequencies that humans can hear. The results are both haunting and beautiful, from the ethereal whistles of Jupiter's magnetosphere to the crackling static of solar storms. These cosmic sounds aren't just curiosities; they provide crucial data about space weather, helping scientists predict potentially dangerous solar activity that could disrupt satellites, power grids, and communication systems on Earth. Planet hunting through stellar shadows NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) employs a brilliantly simple yet sophisticated technique to discover worlds beyond our solar system. The satellite monitors hundreds of thousands of stars simultaneously, watching for minute decreases in brightness that occur when planets pass in front of their host stars. These tiny dips in starlight, often less than 1% brightness reduction, reveal not only the existence of exoplanets but also their size, orbital period, and atmospheric composition. TESS has already discovered thousands of potentially habitable worlds, fundamentally changing our understanding of how common planetary systems are throughout the galaxy. Earth's disappearing atmosphere captured in real time NASA satellites have made the startling discovery that Earth's atmosphere is gradually leaking into space, with hydrogen and helium atoms escaping at rates measurable from orbit. This atmospheric escape occurs primarily from the upper atmosphere, where solar radiation provides enough energy for light gases to break free from Earth's gravitational pull. Whilst this process occurs over geological timescales and poses no immediate threat, understanding atmospheric loss helps scientists predict long-term climate evolution and study how other planets may have lost their atmospheres. The research has particularly important implications for understanding Mars's transformation from a potentially habitable world to the arid planet we see today. Robotic mechanics in the void Some of NASA's most advanced satellites are equipped with sophisticated robotic arms and specialized instruments capable of performing delicate operations in the harsh environment of space. These mechanical marvels can capture defunct satellites, remove dangerous space debris, and even perform repairs on other spacecraft—all whilst travelling at thousands of kilometres per hour. The technology represents a crucial step towards sustainable space exploration, as the growing problem of space debris threatens future missions. These robotic systems can extend satellite lifespans, clear orbital pathways, and potentially salvage valuable equipment that would otherwise be lost forever. Rewriting cosmic history Perhaps most remarkably, satellites like the Hubble Space Telescope have fundamentally altered our understanding of the universe itself. By capturing images of galaxies billions of light-years away, essentially looking back in time, these instruments have helped determine that the universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old and expanding at an accelerating rate. This research earned multiple Nobel Prizes and revealed the existence of dark energy, a mysterious force comprising roughly 70% of the universe. Each deep-space image collected by these satellites represents a time machine, showing us how galaxies formed and evolved over cosmic history. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Trump vs Musk: How a political feud threatens to send NASA into the ‘biggest crisis' in its history
The spectacle of President Donald Trump 's public feud with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has now spilled into one of America's most strategic and fragile domains: space. What began as a war of words over a contentious spending bill has become a flashpoint threatening to unravel decades of US leadership in space science and exploration. At the centre of the dispute is the White House's proposed federal budget, which seeks to radically reshape NASA's priorities. If passed, it could place over 40 current and future missions at risk, many involving climate science and planetary exploration, while funnelling resources into a narrowly defined vision: putting American boots back on the Moon, and eventually, on Mars. Adding fuel to the fire, Trump has openly threatened to cancel federal contracts with Musk's SpaceX, a company now central to NASA's operations. That threat risks not only logistical disruptions, like resupplying the International Space Station ( ISS ), but also casts long shadows over future crewed missions that depend on SpaceX's Starship rocket. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Drink one cup a day and watch your body change NEWSCASA Undo 'The astonishing exchanges, snap decisions and U-turns we've witnessed in the last week undermine the very foundations that we build our ambitions on,' said Dr Simeon Barber, space scientist at the Open University, as quoted by the BBC. 'Space science and exploration rely upon long-term planning and cooperation between government, companies and academic institutions.' $22 billion at stake At the heart of the storm are nearly $22 billion in government contracts awarded to SpaceX, spanning NASA's Commercial Crew Program, ISS cargo missions, and the Artemis Moon programme. The feud escalated on June 5, 2025, when Trump publicly threatened to scrap all government contracts with Musk's companies. Live Events Musk responded with a dramatic (later-deleted) post on X: 'In light of the President's statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.' He later backed down, replying to a user urging restraint: 'Good advice. Ok, we won't decommission Dragon.' NASA caught in political crossfire Even before this drama unfolded, NASA was staring down an existential challenge. The proposed budget includes a 25% overall cut, with science and Earth observation missions absorbing the brunt. Programmes that track climate change, explore the solar system, and enable global partnerships, some decades in the making, are now vulnerable. Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at the Planetary Society, called it 'the biggest crisis ever to face the US space programme.' That's no exaggeration: while the budget proposes a $100 million boost for Mars-related initiatives, almost everything else is on the chopping block. 'President Trump is repurposing NASA to land astronauts on the Moon before the Chinese, and eventually to plant a US flag on Mars,' said Dr Adam Baker, a space analyst at Cranfield University, reported BBC. 'Everything else is secondary.' Human spaceflight, too, is on edge SpaceX's Crew Dragon is currently NASA's only certified spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to and from the ISS. Under a $5 billion contract, it ended NASA's reliance on Russia's Soyuz after the Space Shuttle's retirement. Presently, Crew Dragon is supporting the Crew-10 mission, while Axiom Space prepares a fourth private astronaut mission. Boeing's Starliner remains uncertified and unproven for long-term operational use. Without SpaceX, human spaceflight missions could face serious setbacks, Dreier warned: 'The potential cancellation of these contracts would delay or completely halt US-led missions to the ISS.' Artemis and Mars ambitions in jeopardy NASA's Artemis III mission, aiming to land astronauts on the Moon in 2027, relies on SpaceX's Starship as its lunar lander. So far, the company has received over $15 billion in NASA contracts for Falcon 9 and Starship development. But Starship's recent test flights have ended in failure, and if the partnership collapses, it could derail timelines and leave the door open for rivals, particularly China, to lead in lunar exploration. Trump's long-touted goal of sending astronauts to Mars, once aligned with Musk's vision, now appears politically volatile. This focus comes at the cost of near-term science and Earth-based priorities. The SLS vs Starship debate Trump officials have justified the cuts as a streamlining effort. NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), with a staggering $4.1 billion launch cost, has long been criticised for overruns and delays. The budget proposes sidelining SLS in favour of cheaper, reusable alternatives. But the private sector may not offer the stability required. Starship's repeated failures and Blue Origin's early-stage development raise questions. 'The worry is that NASA may be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire,' Dr Barber said. 'If SpaceX or Blue Origin run into trouble, Congress will have to foot the bill anyway.' Global partnerships fray NASA is not just a national agency; it's a cornerstone of international space cooperation. Two major joint missions with the European Space Agency, Mars Sample Return and the Rosalind Franklin rover, are in jeopardy due to US budget cuts. 'These missions are more than science, they're signals of trust and cooperation,' said Prof Sir Martin Sweeting of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. ESA has signalled plans to build more autonomous space capabilities, reflecting a future where it cannot depend on US reliability. Earth loses out Ironically, some of the worst-hit programmes are the ones that help protect our own planet. Earth observation satellites, critical for tracking wildfires, droughts, and sea level rise, are at risk of shutdown. Over 40 active or planned missions are now in danger, including: DAVINCI+ and VERITAS (Venus missions) Landsat Next, critical for climate change monitoring EnVision, a joint mission with ESA Mars Sample Return, a flagship programme in partnership with ESA Existing missions like Juno, Mars Odyssey, New Horizons, and MAVEN, which could face premature shutdowns As per NASA's muted official response came via spokesperson Bethany Stevens: 'NASA will continue to execute upon the President's vision for the future of space. We will continue to work with our industry partners to ensure the President's objectives in space are met.' But former Deputy Administrator Lori Garver was more direct: 'A rogue CEO threatening to decommission spacecraft, putting astronauts' lives at risk, is untenable.' A legacy at risk This isn't just about rockets or rivalries. It's about a legacy of American leadership in space that now faces erosion due to political volatility and personal vendettas. As per Reuters, if Congress approves the budget, or allows it to take effect by default, the damage could be irreversible. NASA's 18,000-strong workforce faces uncertainty, and global trust in US-led space efforts may erode for years to come. As Dreier puts it: 'Once space missions are turned off, it is hard, if not impossible, to start them up again.'
