A previously quiet galaxy, 300 million light-years away, suddenly became active emitting various types of light. The brightening phenomenon led astronomers to determine it's either an active galactic nucleus or a rare tidal disruption event.
The sudden brightening of the galaxy SDSS1335_0728 was detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility telescope. Observations from various instruments, including the VLT in Chile, were used to analyze the scenario.
A galaxy brightening can be due to various reasons like supernovae or a tidal disruption event. The prolonged emission of X-ray and visible light suggests an active galactic nucleus instead of short-term events.
Presence of an active galactic nucleus in the awakened galaxy involves emission due to compressed matter around a supermassive black hole forming accretion disks and heating matter to high temperatures.
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