Astronomers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have detected unusual activity in supernova remnants within the Messier 83 (M83) galaxy, located 15 million light-years from Earth.
After analyzing 14 years of telescopic observations, scientists found unexpected X-ray fluctuations in objects previously thought to be cooling gas clouds.
About half of the 22 studied supernova remnants showed sharp brightness changes resembling fireworks.
Two main hypotheses explain the phenomenon: either black holes or neutron stars in binary systems are pulling material from surviving companion stars, or compact objects are absorbing parts of the supernova ejecta.
Such variable sources may be characteristic of galaxies with intense star formation, similar to those previously observed in the neighboring M51 galaxy.
