Astronomers link mysterious cosmic flashes to collisions of dead stars

Astronomers have linked a mysterious cosmic flash to the collision of two neutron stars, providing evidence that such events can produce long-lasting X-ray emissions. The event, known as EP250704a/GRB 250704B, was detected by multiple satellites and showed a record-setting duration of nearly 10 minutes of X-ray radiation. The observations, made using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Very Large Array, revealed a redshift of 0.6610, indicating the explosion's distance from Earth. This connection between neutron star mergers and X-ray flashes challenges previous assumptions about the origins of such events.

The study, published in Science Bulletin, highlights the importance of these observations in understanding the formation of magnetars—rapidly spinning neutron stars with intense magnetic fields. The team identified clear absorption patterns in the light, which helped determine the burst's distance and the energy it released. The absence of a nearby supernova and the properties of the X-ray burst provided strong evidence that the event was caused by a neutron star merger. The findings suggest that neutron star collisions could be a significant source of long-lasting X-ray emissions, offering new insights into the life cycles of stars and the formation of magnetars.

The research underscores the value of coordinated observations from multiple telescopes and satellites in uncovering the mysteries of cosmic phenomena. The discovery of this X-ray flash opens the door to further studies of neutron star mergers and their potential role in creating magnetars. The findings are significant for understanding the distribution of such events in the universe and their impact on the surrounding environment.

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