Astronomers have discovered a mysterious space signal, known as EP240408a, that has sparked debate over its origin. Launched in January 2024 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Einstein Probe detected the signal during its commissioning phase. The signal is unusual because it only emits X-rays and lacks characteristic features of known transient events.
Researchers have proposed two main explanations for the signal’s origins: a tidal disruption event (TDE) or a new class of intermediate X-ray transients. A TDE occurs when a star passes close to a black hole, causing material to be shredded and released in a high-velocity jet. However, radio emissions are often observed in these events, which is not seen in the EP240408a signal.
The Einstein Probe’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of high-energy astrophysical events. The signal’s intermediate timescale and lack of characteristic features make it difficult to explain using current knowledge. Future detections by the EP will help determine the signal’s true nature and shed light on this phenomenon.
The discovery of a new type of transient could lead to the development of new theories and observational studies, filling in gaps in our understanding of X-ray phenomena. The Einstein Probe is likely to detect similar events throughout its mission, providing further insights into this enigmatic signal.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/what-was-the-mysterious-space-signal-scientists-discovered-in-2024-here-are-some-possibilities