Astronomers may have witnessed the birth of a magnetar after two neutron stars collided, following the detection of an unusually long-lasting X-ray flash.
The event, designated EP250704a/GRB 250704B, was detected on July 4, 2025, by the SVOM, Insight-HXMT and Einstein Probe satellites.
While its gamma-ray burst lasted only about half a second, Einstein Probe detected bright X-ray emission for nearly 10 minutes.
A study published in Science Bulletin found evidence supporting a neutron star merger as the source of the event.
Astronomers have traditionally used short gamma-ray bursts, which can disappear in less than two seconds, to identify such collisions.
Astronomers may have witnessed the birth of a magnetar after two neutron stars collided, following the detection of an unusually long-lasting X-ray flash.
The event, designated EP250704a/GRB 250704B, was detected on July 4, 2025, by the SVOM, Insight-HXMT and Einstein Probe satellites. While its gamma-ray burst lasted only about half a second, Einstein Probe detected bright X-ray emission for nearly 10 minutes.
A study published in Science Bulletin found evidence supporting a neutron star merger as the source of the event. Astronomers have traditionally used short gamma-ray bursts, which can disappear in less than two seconds, to identify such collisions.
