Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs): A New Class of Cosmic Explosions More Powerful Than Gamma-Ray Bursts
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Science and Technology (Space - Black Holes, Supernovae, Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs); Space Missions - Gaia).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 3 (S&T): Awareness in the fields of Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology; Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. Basic astronomical concepts and discoveries are part of this.
Key Highlights from the News
Astronomers have discovered a new type of cosmic phenomenon, Extreme Nuclear Transients (ENTs), which are up to ten times more energetic than Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), previously considered the most powerful explosions in the universe.
ENTs occur when supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies consume a large star.
The black hole's immense tidal forces stretch and destroy the star like a thread (this process is called spaghettification), and its remnants release a colossal amount of energy as they fall into the black hole.
ENTs are now considered the largest explosions in the universe after the Big Bang.
This significant discovery was made by analyzing data from the European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft.
Scientists believe that the intense light from ENTs can be used to study black holes in the early universe.
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