Biggest boom since Big Bang: Astronomers uncover most energetic explosions in universe

Astronomers from the University of Hawai i's Institute for Astronomy (IfA) have discovered the most energetic cosmic explosions yet discovered, naming the new class of events "extreme nuclear transients" (ENTs). These extraordinary phenomena occur when massive stars--at least three times heavier than our sun--are torn apart after wandering too close to a supermassive black hole. Their disruption releases vast amounts of energy visible across enormous distances.