Outbursts from a Massive Star

First reported Fri, 13 Nov 2026 16:39:33 GMT · Last updated Sat, 14 Nov 2026 06:00:18 GMT

X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Virginia/M. Aghakhanloo et al.; Optical: SDSS; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/P. Edmonds Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have discovered what is triggering repeated outbursts from a giant, unstable star located in the galaxy shown in this image released on Nov. 9, 2026. The volatile star, known as AT 2016blu, is in the spiral galaxy NGC 4559, located about 30 million light-years from Earth. Astronomers estimate the mass of this star is at least 33 times that of the Sun. Read more about the discovery. Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Virginia/M. Aghakhanloo et al.; Optical: SDSS; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/P. Edmonds ]]>