Scientists have analysed the stars that an upcoming NASA telescope will target in its search for biosignatures, narrowing down the candidates for those that could host potential alien life
Scientists have analysed the stars that an upcoming NASA telescope will target in its search for biosignatures, narrowing down the candidates for those that could host potential extraterrestrial life
Tidal disruption events (TDEs) occur when stars are ripped apart1,2 by massive black holes and result in highly luminous, multi-wavelength flares3–5. Optical–ultraviolet observations5–7 of TDEs contradict simple models of TDE emission2,8, but the debate between alternative models (for example, shock power9,10 or reprocessed accretion power11–16) remains unsettled, as the dynamic range of the problem has so far prevented ab initio hydrodynamical simulations17. Consequently, past simulations have resorted to unrealistic parameter choices10,12,18–21, artificial mass injection schemes22,23 or very short run-times24. Here we present a three-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulation of a TDE flare from disruption to peak emission, with typical astrophysical parameters. At early times, shocks near pericentre power the light curve and a previously unknown source of X-ray emission, but circularization and outflows are inefficient. Near peak light, stream–
The mysterious wispy green light captured by the James Webb Space Telescope last year near the heart of Cassiopeia A turns out to be a result of a blast wave slamming into surrounding material.