Yesterdays News from EarthSkyNews ~ Black holes and Big Bang

[Julie]

Astronomers have discovered a new type of cosmic explosion they’re calling an extreme nuclear transient. It happens when a supermassive black hole eats a star some 3 to 10 times as massive as our sun. Boom! The largest explosion since the Big Bang! Image via W. M. Keck Observatory/ Adam Makarenko.

Astronomers spy biggest explosions since Big Bang Astronomers in Hawaii said this week that they've detected 3 different stars being devoured by supermassive black holes. In the process, the holes released more energy than 100 supernovas! These are the largest explosions since the Big Bang, the astronomers say. They're calling the events extreme nuclear transients.   The stars responsible for these powerhouse explosions are from 3 to 10 times more massive than our sun. And these brightening events aren't just brilliant, but brief, flashes. They last for months to years, helping astronomers see an otherwise hidden part of the cosmos. Jason Hinkle at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii was lead author of the new study. Hinkle said: “These events are the only way we can have a spotlight that we can shine on otherwise inactive massive black holes.” Read about the largest explosions since the Big Bang.