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    Question

    What is the nickname given to the largest cosmic

    explosion ever observed, which has lasted for over three years?
    A Big Bang Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Scary Barbie Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Cosmic Blaze Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D BOAT Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E Solar Explosion Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    Astronomers have identified the largest cosmic explosion ever observed, a fireball 100 times the size of our Solar System that suddenly began blazing in the distant universe more than three years ago. The explosion, known as AT2021lwx, has currently lasted more than three years, compared with most supernovae which are only visibly bright for a few months. Although BOAT was brighter than AT2021lwx, it lasted for just a fraction of the time, meaning the overall energy released by the AT2021lwx explosion was far greater. AT2021lwx has earned the nickname “Scary Barbie” from researchers owing to its “terrifying energy”. AT2021lwx was first detected in 2020 by the Zwicky Transient Facility in California and subsequently picked up by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) based in Hawaii.

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