X-ray quasi-periodic eruptions from two previously quiescent galaxies.

ABSTRACT: Quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs) are very-high-amplitude bursts of X-ray radiation recurring every few hours and originating near the central supermassive black holes of galactic nuclei^1,2. It is currently unknown what triggers these events, how long they last and how they are connected to the physical properties of the inner accretion flows. Previously, only two such sources were known, found either serendipitously or in archival data^1,2, with emission lines in their optical spectra classifying their nuclei as hosting an actively accreting supermassive black hole^3,4. Here we report observations of QPEs in two further galaxies, obtained with a blind and systematic search of half of the X-ray sky. The optical spectra of these galaxies show no signature of bla

SUBMITTER: Arcodia R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8081662 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature