A Star Shredded by a Supermassive Black Hole!

In a groundbreaking study, an international team of astronomers has made a stunning observation regarding the tidal disruption event (TDE) known as AT2018hyz. Using advanced telescopes across the globe, they have documented a spectacular surge in radio brightness from this cosmic phenomenon.

What is a Tidal Disruption Event?

When a star gets too close to a supermassive black hole, the intense gravitational forces can literally rip it apart. This catastrophic event, known as a Tidal Disruption Event, results in stellar debris spiraling into the black hole, emitting energy that alerts astronomers to its presence.

AT2018hyz: A Cosmic Discovery!

Discovered in 2018 at a staggering distance of 665 million light-years, AT2018hyz resides in a post-starburst galaxy dubbed 2MASS J10065085+0141342. Initial observations in 2022 revealed radio emissions likely caused by a mildly relativistic outflow, a phenomena that follows the star's destruction.

Recent Revelations!

The latest findings from astronomers led by Yvette Cendes from the University of Oregon reveal multi-frequency radio observations that illustrate an unprecedented brightening of AT2018hyz. The luminous intensity has been logged at a peak luminosity of around 10 duodecillion erg/s—making it brighter than previously recorded non-relativistic TDEs!

Two Compelling Theories!

What’s causing this extraordinary brightness? The researchers propose two exciting hypotheses: a delayed spherical outflow released roughly 620 days after the star's disruption, or a highly off-axis relativistic jet racing away at nearly the speed of light.

A Cosmic Mystery Unfolding!

These astonishing observations not only enhance our understanding of TDEs but also deepen the mysteries surrounding black holes. As astronomers continue to unravel these cosmic enigmas, the behavior of AT2018hyz could provide unprecedented insights into the behavior of the universe’s most powerful forces.