Overview
- The latest analysis, led by University of Oregon astrophysicist Yvette Cendes and published February 5 in The Astrophysical Journal, tracks a multi‑year radio rise from a star shredded about 665 million light‑years away.
- AT2018hyz’s radio emission is roughly 50 times brighter than in early observations and continues to increase under sustained monitoring.
- Data indicate a single, highly collimated jet that likely appeared ordinary at first because it was not pointed toward our line of sight.
- Measured outflow rivals that of a gamma‑ray burst, with total energy possibly reaching ~5×10^55 ergs, though the team stresses this estimate remains provisional until the peak is observed.
- The source rebrightened in radio beginning around 2022 and may peak around 2027, with ongoing observations using major radio facilities in New Mexico and South Africa and expanded searches for similar delayed flares.