Core Findings - The University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy has discovered the most powerful energy explosion in the universe, termed "Extreme Nuclear Transients" (ENT) [1][3] - This phenomenon occurs when a massive star, more than three times the mass of the Sun, approaches a supermassive black hole and is torn apart by its tidal forces, releasing immense energy [1][3] Energy Release Characteristics - The brightness of the ENT phenomenon is over ten times that of typical tidal disruption events, with a duration lasting several years [3] - The specific event named Gaia18cdj released energy equivalent to 25 times that of the most intense supernova explosions, illustrating that these cosmic "energy giants" can emit the total energy of hundreds of suns in a year [3][4] Observational Insights - The research team initially identified anomalies in brightness from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission data, which exhibited unique characteristics and longer brightness variation periods than known transient phenomena [3] - Continuous observations using telescopes like the Keck Observatory allowed the team to gather electromagnetic wave data, confirming the existence of ENT as a new class of extreme astrophysical phenomena [3] Implications for Astrophysics - ENT events not only mark the dramatic end of massive stars but also provide insights into the growth of the universe's largest black holes [4] - Due to their exceptional brightness, these events can be observed from great distances, offering a glimpse into the ancient history of the universe [4] - The rarity of ENT occurrences, estimated at one in ten million compared to supernova explosions, poses significant challenges for detection, but upcoming observational facilities like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA's Roman Space Telescope are expected to enhance the discovery of such spectacular events [4]
天文学家发现宇宙最强能量爆发事件:黑洞撕裂恒星引发“极端核瞬变”
Ke Ji Ri Bao·2025-06-11 08:18