New class of cosmic explosions discovered

Found: the most intense explosions in the known universe. "Extreme nuclear transients" happen when a massive star is shredded by a supermassive black hole. The black hole hides in gravitational darkness until silhouetted by the remains of its victim. www.hawaii.edu/news/2025/06/04/biggest-explosion-since-big-bang/ pic.x.com/hf0etOcYFQ

A new @NASA-led study found that each of 3 supermassive black holes "suddenly brightened when it destroyed a star three to 10 times heavier than our Sun." They represent "the most energetic type of cosmic explosion since the big bang discovered so far." science.nasa.gov/science-research/astrophysics/3-black-holes-caught-eating-massive-stars-in-nasa-data/

How do magnetars produce some of the most energetic X-ray outbursts we’ve seen? For the first time, our IXPE telescope mapped the magnetic fields around one of these supermagnetized stellar cores, helping us understand what drives their powerful eruptions: go.nasa.gov/3SB4wG7 pic.x.com/n5Odek1PTZ

Using data from @NASA, @ESA, and ground-based telescopes, scientists found three supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. They were detected after they pulled apart large stars — ranging between three to 10 times heavier than our Sun — and brightened pic.x.com/QNXLBOJsg2