The Secrets of the Universe | Astronomers Saw a Strange Object So Bright That It Broke Physics @TheSecretsoftheUniverse | Uploaded June 2023 | Updated October 2024, 4 days ago.
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious cosmic object that shines about 10 million times brighter than the Sun. This puzzling object seems to defy a basic principle of astrophysics. To put it into perspective, the object is so bright that if it were placed 474 billion kilometers away from us, or about 3100 times the Earth-Sun distance, it would still appear as bright as the Sun does during daytime. The object puzzled astronomers because not only does it produce enormous energy, but it also shines 100-500 times brighter than what the previously known laws of physics permit. However, when they studied it in detail, they stumbled upon new physics that added to our knowledge of how the universe works.
So, what exactly is this object that’s shining so brightly? What’s the mechanism behind the tremendous energy output from this object? Finally, and most importantly, how has this finding opened doors to new physics?
The 64th episode of the Sunday Discovery Series answers these questions.
All Episodes Of The Series: bit.ly/369kG4p
Basics of Astrophysics series: bit.ly/3xII54M
RESEARCH PAPER:
Orbital Decay in M82 X-2, Bachetti et al (The Astrophysical Journal) - bit.ly/3PADw9r
Created By: Rishabh Nakra
Written and Researched By: Shreejaya Karantha
Narrated By: Jeffrey Smith
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious cosmic object that shines about 10 million times brighter than the Sun. This puzzling object seems to defy a basic principle of astrophysics. To put it into perspective, the object is so bright that if it were placed 474 billion kilometers away from us, or about 3100 times the Earth-Sun distance, it would still appear as bright as the Sun does during daytime. The object puzzled astronomers because not only does it produce enormous energy, but it also shines 100-500 times brighter than what the previously known laws of physics permit. However, when they studied it in detail, they stumbled upon new physics that added to our knowledge of how the universe works.
So, what exactly is this object that’s shining so brightly? What’s the mechanism behind the tremendous energy output from this object? Finally, and most importantly, how has this finding opened doors to new physics?
The 64th episode of the Sunday Discovery Series answers these questions.
All Episodes Of The Series: bit.ly/369kG4p
Basics of Astrophysics series: bit.ly/3xII54M
RESEARCH PAPER:
Orbital Decay in M82 X-2, Bachetti et al (The Astrophysical Journal) - bit.ly/3PADw9r
Created By: Rishabh Nakra
Written and Researched By: Shreejaya Karantha
Narrated By: Jeffrey Smith
