Astronomers Unveil Most Powerful Cosmic Explosions Since Big Bang

Swift Summary:

• Discovery: Astronomers identified “Extreme Nuclear Transients” (ENTs), the most powerful cosmic explosions since the Big Bang.
• Cause: ENTs occur when stars at least three times larger than the Sun are torn apart by supermassive black holes.
• Unique Features: These events are brighter and longer-lasting than known phenomena like tidal disruption events (TDEs) or supernovae, releasing far more energy and remaining luminous for years.Such as,one ENT,Gaia18cdj,released 25 times more energy than the brightest known supernova ever observed.
• Observations: ENTs were discovered using data from ESA’s Gaia spacecraft (2016 and 2018) and California’s Zwicky Transient Facility (2020).
• Meaning: Their extreme brightness enables astronomers to study galaxy evolution and black hole growth during earlier epochs of the universe’s history.

Image:
!Artist’s illustration of Extreme Nuclear Transients Image credit: W.M Keck Observatory/adam Makarenko

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The discovery of Extreme Nuclear Transients is a monumental breakthrough in astronomy, uncovering unprecedented insights into cosmic explosions far beyond customary models like supernovae or TDEs. For India, with its aspiring space exploration vision epitomized by ISRO’s advancements in satellite technology and deep-space missions such as chandrayaan or Aditya-L1 missions, this research opens up opportunities to contribute further toward global efforts in studying such phenomena.

India can engage in collaborations leveraging indigenous infrastructure including its optical observatories-especially given how these transients offer clues about distant galaxies’ evolution during global infancy stages. Additionally, fostering partnerships with international organizations such as ESA could bolster India’s presence in front-line astrophysical research.

breakthroughs like ENTs challenge existing scientific paradigms while paving paths for deeper understanding of black holes-the enigmatic entities at the heart of galaxies-underscoring science’s limitless interconnected nature across borders.

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