Einstein Probe catches rare X-ray flash from an exploding star

A rare X-ray flash from an exploding star was detected by the Einstein Probe, linked to a Type Ic-BL supernova. The event, EP250827b, was identified as an X-ray flash-supernova powered by a central engine and circumstellar interaction. The flash was initially detected as a faint, borderline signal, but confirmed by a joint analysis with the Zwicky Transient Facility. The supernova, SN 2025wkm, showed no trace of hydrogen or helium, and its light curve exhibited an extended plateau in luminosity, indicating an unusual mechanism. The study suggests the flash was produced when a massive star's core collapsed, leaving behind a magnetar, an ultra-dense neutron star with a strong magnetic field. The research estimates the magnetic field strength at 5×10¹⁴ gauss and the spin period at 1.9 milliseconds. This is the fourth such X-ray flash supernova found by the Einstein Probe. The findings provide new insights into the diversity of supernova mechanisms, relativistic jet formation, and central-engine activity in massive stars.

AI-generated summary of the original article — see the source for the full story.