A team of astrophysicists from Northwestern University and the University of Leicester in England has made a groundbreaking discovery about fast X-ray transients (FXTs), brief, extremely energetic bursts of X-rays that have long been a mystery to scientists. Using data from multiple space telescopes around the world, including the Einstein Probe, they detected an unprecedentedly close FXT, later named EP 250108a, which seemed to be a faint spillover signal – likely the result of a cosmic jet.
The team’s findings suggest that EP 250108a may have originated from the “failed” jets of a gamma-ray burst, triggered by the explosive death of a star around 2.8 billion light-years from Earth. This discovery offers some of the best evidence yet for at least one potential origin for FXTs.
When a star explodes in a supernova, it creates an “onion-like” form with different layers of gas, dust, and other cosmic material that interact with the jet generating gamma-ray bursts. In some cases, this interaction can suppress the jet from breaking out, resulting in the formation of an FXT.
The team’s results show that EP 250108a was unusually close to Earth, allowing for a detailed study of the phenomenon. Unlike most astronomical phenomena, which lie on timescales far exceeding human lifespans, FXTs evolve on a “human timescale,” making them accessible for study and research.
The discovery is significant not only because it sheds light on one potential origin of FXTs but also because it highlights humanity’s ability to tackle complex cosmic puzzles. The researchers are eager to continue exploring the universe and uncovering its secrets, as astrophysicist Jillian Rastinejad noted, “Astronomy is like art. It doesn’t really affect our day-to-day lives. But it answers these questions that humans have always wondered about: where we come from and where we’re going.”
Source: https://gizmodo.com/mysterious-signals-from-deep-space-expose-aftermath-of-failed-cosmic-eruptions-2000626850