California: Scientists have observed the brightest known flare emitted from a supermassive black hole. According to researcher it is a burst that shone with the intensity of nearly 10 trillion suns. Such an event was first recorded in 2018. This new occurrence is helping astronomers understand the behavior and surroundings of black holes in the early universe.

A camera at the Palomar Observatory in California detected the flare. It grew to peak brightness over three months. It is gradually fading since then. Researchers believe a big star drifting too close to the black hole and being torn apart caused the burst.

“At first, we did not really believe the numbers about the energy,” said study author Matthew Graham of the California Institute of Technology, which operates the observatory.

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