A team of scientists led by Steven Dillmann at Stanford University has discovered a rare and mysterious X-ray flash from an unknown object outside the Milky Way galaxy. The flash, named XRT 200515, was detected by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory in May 2020 while observing the remnants of a bygone star in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a galaxy that orbits the Milky Way.
The team observed a brief but powerful blast of X-rays from within the LMC, which lasted for about 10 seconds. This event has sparked interest among astronomers due to its unique characteristics and potential implications for our understanding of the universe.
Researchers propose two possible explanations for the X-ray flash: one involving a system of two stars within the galaxy, including a small neutron star and an orbiting companion star, or a rare massive flare coming from a distant magnetar behind the LMC. Alternatively, the event could be an entirely new type of astronomical phenomenon, which scientists hope to study further with future telescope observations.
“This discovery reminds us that space is dynamic and ever-changing, with exciting phenomena occurring constantly,” said Dillmann in a statement. The team’s findings highlight the importance of continued exploration and monitoring of our universe, as there are still many mysteries waiting to be unraveled.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/strange-x-ray-flash-from-beyond-the-milky-way-perplexes-scientists