A recent study has shed light on the mysterious X-ray flashes originating from failed jets attempting to penetrate the outer shell of a dying star. These bursts of X-radiation, known as fast-X-ray transients (FXTs), have long puzzled astronomers, but new research has provided valuable insights into their origins.
According to astronomer Jillian Rastinejad of Northwestern University, FXTs are linked to failed gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are the most energetic explosions in the Universe. The study definitively shows that FXTs can result from the explosive demise of a massive star, highlighting a causal relationship between GRB-supernovae and FXT-supernovae.
Supernovae are complex events characterized by the collapse of a star’s core and the outward expulsion of surrounding material. When a star reaches its supernova phase, jets of energy are released, producing GRBs that illuminate the material surrounding the star. However, in cases of failed jets, the X-ray flashes produced are identified as FXTs.
The detection of an FXT event on 8 January 2025, from a star 2.8 billion light-years away, provided astronomers with a rare opportunity to study these enigmatic phenomena. The event, named EP 250108a, was associated with a supernova event dubbed SN 2025kg, revealing insights into the nature of these energetic explosions.
The researchers identified SN 2025kg as a Type Ic-BL supernova, originating from the core collapse of a massive star between 15 and 30 times the mass of the Sun. Observations indicated a high-speed outward explosion of ejecta, moving at nearly 19,000 kilometers per second.
Unlike successful GRBs that penetrate a star’s outer layers, the jets from SN 2025kg remained trapped within the ejecta shell, causing localized heating and radiation. This trapped jet phenomenon sheds light on the diversity of massive star deaths and highlights the need for further investigations into stellar evolution.
The findings have been detailed in two papers accepted by The Astrophysical Journal Letters and are available for further exploration. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding supernova explosions and the mechanisms behind the formation of FXTs, offering valuable insights into the complex nature of these cosmic events. The Benefits of Regular Exercise
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