Michela Negro

The polarization of X-rays from a dead star with a monstrous magnetic field has been measured. It changes with energy as if the vacuum behaves like a crystal, bending light. This is the first direct evidence of a quantum effect predicted over 80 years ago.

GRB 250702B broke all the rules: its 7-hour duration didn't fit old models. The solution? A merger of a black hole with a helium star. This event links ultra-long gamma-ray bursts with supernovae and gravitational waves.