How the phenomenon was captured

IN FEBRUARY,

scientists at Zwicky Transient Facility in California spotted a massive flash that appeared to baffle astronomers. The event was dubbed “At2022cmc” and described in two separate studies

SPOTTED EARLY:

Dheeraj Pasham, from MIT who is the lead author one of the studies on it, said they were able to observe the event very early on – within a week of the black hole starting to consume the doomed star.

HEADED IN EARTH’S DIRECTION:

One of the jets seems to be pointing toward Earth, making it appear brighter than if it were heading in another direction – an effect called

"Doppler boosting" that is similar to the enhanced sound of a passing cop siren.