Unraveling the Mystery: Scientists Stumped by Unexplained Cosmic Explosion

Astronomers have stumbled upon a cosmic mystery: a gamma-ray burst that lasted nearly a whole day. This surprising event, known as GRB 250702BDE, was first spotted on July 2, but earlier signs were detected a day before by the Einstein Probe. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are usually brief but incredibly powerful explosions, tied to the death of massive stars. However, this one doesn’t follow the usual patterns.

According to Antonio Martin-Carrillo, an astrophysicist at University College Dublin, such bursts are typically single events. He noted that it’s unusual for them to display repeated activity like this one did. “This event baffled us,” he said, “not only because of its power but also because it seemed to happen in a periodic manner.” This finding challenges what scientists have believed about GRBs for the last 50 years.

The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) played a crucial role in this discovery. Initially thought to occur inside the Milky Way, the VLT confirmed that this cosmic explosion came from beyond our galaxy. The Hubble Space Telescope later supported this conclusion, strengthening the case for its origins.

Martin-Carrillo shared some theories about why this GRB was so unique. One possibility involves a massive star’s death cycle, where materials somehow continue fueling a central engine, leading to repeated explosions. Another theory suggests the radiation might come from a star being torn apart by a black hole. This scenario could involve an “intermediate mass black hole,” a type that is elusive and hard to detect. These black holes are larger than stellar-mass black holes formed from a dying star, yet smaller than the supermassive ones found in galaxy centers.

Detecting intermediate mass black holes can provide deeper insights into cosmic evolution and how black holes form. Researchers think that these lower-mass black holes may collide and merge over time, creating the intermediate ones. The astrophysical community is keenly interested in this event, as it opens doors for more questions and potential discoveries.

Currently, the team is monitoring what happens next. They plan to pinpoint the explosion’s exact location, which will help them calculate the energy involved. As Martin-Carrillo said, “We are still not sure what produced this or if we can ever really find out,” but they feel closer to answering questions about this mysterious event.

Source link