Unraveling the Universe's Brightest Explosion: Astronomers Crack the Code
Astronomers have decoded the mystery behind the universe's brightest explosion, known as the Brightest of All Time (BOAT). The explosion, caused by the collapse of a massive star and the birth of a black hole, was angled directly at Earth and carried an unusually large amount of stellar material. The slow fade of the explosion's afterglow indicated a unique structure, with a narrow jet embedded within a wider gas outflow. The researchers believe that the mixing of stellar material and the jet contributed to the explosion's intensity. This discovery not only explains the BOAT but also sheds light on previous brightness record holders. Further study into the magnetic fields and massive stars involved in these events may reveal why they are so rare.