Bright blue flashes detected from deep space

Researchers have identified the source of luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs), bright flashes of blue light from space that have puzzled scientists for over a decade. They now believe these phenomena result from extreme tidal disruption, where massive black holes consume companion stars. The latest example, AT 2024wpp, emitted energy 100 times greater than a typical supernova, challenging previous models that attributed LFBOTs to stellar explosions. This discovery could enhance our understanding of black hole formation and star evolution.

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