Astronomers catch rare ‘hiccuping’ star in action for the first time

Twisted shockwaves and gases from an exploded star - similar to what was produced in the first flare of SN2020acct. Picture: European Space Agency/PA Wire

A giant “hiccuping” star has been documented for the first time in the final stages of its life before exploding by an international team of astronomers, including from Queen’s University Belfast.

The rare cosmic event, which only occurs with exceptionally large stars between 60 to 150 times the mass of the sun, has been predicted in theory but never seen before.