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Published online 18 February 2005 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news050214-18

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Huge explosion traced to exotic star

Astronomers pinpoint source of unprecedented radiation surge.

Jim Giles

A cataclysmic 'starquake' is thought to have caused a flare of radiation that ripped past the Earth on 27 December, battering instruments on satellites and lighting up our atmosphere.

Scientists say this is the biggest blast of gamma and X-rays they have ever observed in our corner of the Universe.

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