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flag China’s Tianguan satellite detected a rare X-ray burst from a likely intermediate-mass black hole disrupting a white dwarf.

flag China's Tianguan satellite detected a rare X-ray burst, EP250702a, on July 2, 2025, likely from an intermediate-mass black hole tearing apart a white dwarf star. flag The event’s extreme brightness, short duration, and soft X-ray afterglow differ from known supernovae or typical tidal disruptions, suggesting a jetted disruption of a dense stellar remnant. flag Only intermediate-mass black holes—hundreds to hundreds of thousands of times the Sun’s mass—can generate the necessary tidal forces. flag This marks the first potential observation of such an event, showcasing the satellite’s ability to capture unpredictable cosmic phenomena and highlighting China’s growing role in space-based astronomy.

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