The event, nicknamed Tasmanian devil, is puzzling scientists who don't know what is causing it.
Ho and colleagues' observations suggest the Tasmanian devil released at least 14 irregular and highly energetic bursts, each lasting only a few minutes.
This leaves a neutron star or a black hole surrounded by the remnants of a partial star.
To produce such brilliant flares, a black hole or neutron star would need a lot of fuel.
AdvertisementAnother possibility is that the Tasmanian devil was caused by a star merging with a black hole or a neutron star, said Ho.
Persons:
—, Anna Ho, LFBOTs, Ashley Chrimes, Chrimes, Ho, We'd, haven't
Organizations:
Service, NASA, Cornell University, Nature News, European Space Agency