Astronomers link fast X-ray bursts with gamma ray bursts and supernovae

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July 7, 2025 1:17 pm Robert Zimmerman

Using observations of a fast X-ray burst (FXT) 2.8 billion light years away by a plethora of space- and ground-based telescopes, astronomers now think the burst was caused by a massive star’s supernova explosion that would normally result in a gamma ray burst (GRB), but does not because the star’s outer layers trap the gamma rays from escaping.

Through analysis of EP 250108a’s rapidly evolving signal over the first six days following initial detection, the team found that this FXT is likely a ‘failed’ variation of a gamma-ray burst (GRB). GRBs are the most powerful explosions in the Universe and have been observed preceding supernovae. During these events, violent geysers of high-energy particles burst through a star’s outer layers as it collapses in on itself. These jets flow at nearly the speed of light and are detectable by their gamma-ray emission.

EP 250108a appears similar to a jet-driven explosion, but one in which the jets do not break through the outer layers of the dying star and instead remain trapped inside. As the stifled jets interact with the star’s outer layers, they decelerate and their kinetic energy is converted to the X-rays detected by Einstein Probe.

As always, there are many uncertainties with this conclusion.

2 comments

Max
July 7, 2025 at 7:58 pm
A not so super-nova?

Uncertainties indeed.
Gamma rays has the shortest wavelength and is most likely to penetrate most substances.

“the jets do not break through the outer layers of the dying star and instead remain trapped inside.”

My thinking is that any substance that can stop the penetration of gamma rays would also stop x-rays the gamma rays produced which has a longer wavelength.
Therefore the x-rays must’ve been from strong electrical activity on the “outside” of the gas cloud of the star as seen in the pictures? A maelstrom of activity that quickly died down.

Big supernovas are associated with “nuclear activity” which has a Super large neutron emission… Half of all neutrons that hit the earth pass right through it. Most supernovas are discovered when alerts from heavy water detectors deep in the earth set off alarms meant for the detection of atomic weapon use. (my daughter visited the one in an old gold mine a mile underground near deadwood Wyoming which was very impressive)

The lack of nuclear byproducts is proof that our star is “not” a nuclear furnace… if it was, radiation from outside our solar system would be lost in the noise created by living so close to a reactor, signals would be undetectable. That and we would all be dead from the radiation which should be 1000 times “minimum” stronger.
You get more radiation from smoking then you do from living in space.
Max
July 8, 2025 at 8:28 pm
And just when you thought dark matter was going away, a new theory to revive it. Brown dwarfs emitting energy without fusion… but of course it must be dark matter!
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250707073356.htm

I was disappointed when they didn’t use Jupiter as an example, which is nearly 4 times hotter than the surface of the sun, being caused by dark matter? I swear they’re making this stuff up.
(all heat is friction/resistance)

Astronomers link fast X-ray bursts with gamma ray bursts and supernovae

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