Hubble Telescope Sees Mysterious Flash of Light in Between Galaxies.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have observed a mysterious flash of light in between two galaxies, far from where they expected to see such an event. The flash, known as a Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient (LFBOT), is one of the brightest and most unpredictable known visible-light events in the universe.
LFBOTs are thought to be caused by some kind of catastrophic explosion, but scientists are still unsure of the exact details. One possibility is that they are caused by the deaths of massive stars, but another possibility is that they are caused by the mergers of neutron stars or black holes.
The Hubble observation of the LFBOT, which was first spotted in April 2023, is particularly puzzling because it occurred in intergalactic space, far from any known stars or galaxies. This suggests that the LFBOT may have been caused by something completely new and unexpected.
"This is the first time we've seen an LFBOT in intergalactic space," said Ashley Chrimes, an astrophysicist at Radboud University in the Netherlands and lead author of the study. "This discovery is challenging our understanding of how these explosions occur."
The Hubble observation of the LFBOT is also the first time that one of these events has been observed in such detail. The images from Hubble show that the LFBOT was incredibly bright, reaching temperatures of up to 36,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The images also show that the LFBOT was very short-lived, lasting for only a few days.
The Hubble observation of the LFBOT is a major discovery that is sure to keep astronomers busy for years to come. The discovery raises new questions about the nature of LFBOTs and how they form. It also suggests that there may be other new and unexpected phenomena lurking in the universe.
"We're still trying to understand what caused this LFBOT," said Chrimes. "But one thing is for sure: it's a reminder that the universe is a vast and mysterious place, with much still to learn."