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2026MNRAS.545f2064Q - Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 545, part no 6, 2064 (2026/February-1)

Unveiling the nature of the Einstein Probe transient EP241021a.

QUIROLA-VASQUEZ J., JONKER P.G., LEVAN A.J., MALESANI D.B., BAUER F.E., SARIN N., LAMB G.P., MARTIN-CARRILLO A., SANCHEZ-SIERRAS J., FRASER M., IZZO L., RAVASIO M.E., MATA SANCHEZ D., TORRES M.A.P., VAN DALEN J.N.D., VAN HOOF A.P.C., CHACON J.A., LITTLEFAIR S., DHILLON V.S., COTTER L., CORCORAN G., EYLES-FERRIS R.A.J., O'BRIEN P.T., STERN D., HARRISON F., D'ELIA V. and HARTMANN D.H.

Abstract (from CDS):

We present a multiwavelength analysis of the fast X-ray transient EP241021a, discovered by the Wide-field X-ray Telescope aboard the Einstein Probe satellite on 2024 October 21. The event was not detected in gamma-rays. Follow-up observations from $\sim$1.5 to 100 d post-trigger were obtained across X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, near-infrared, and radio bands with ground- and space-based facilities. The redshift is constrained to $z = 0.7485$ from prominent optical spectral features. The optical light curve shows complex evolution: an initial $\sim t^{-0.7}$ decay, followed by a rapid re-brightening peaking at day 7.7 with $\sim t^{-1.7}$ decay, and a third phase peaking near day 19 with $\sim t^{-1.3}$ decay. The spectral energy distribution (SED) and its temporal evolution are consistent with a mix of non-thermal and thermal components. Early optical-to-X-ray spectral indices agree with optically thin synchrotron emission, while steepening of the optical SED after $\sim$20 d indicates either a shift in emission mechanism or the emergence of an additional component. Although broad-lined absorption features are absent, comparisons with Type Ic-BL supernovae suggest an SN contribution at late times, suggesting a collapsar origin for EP241021a. The likely SN in EP241021a appears to require an additional energy source beyond $^{56}$Ni decay. These results support the view that some fast X-ray transients detected by the Einstein Probe arise from massive stellar explosions.

Abstract Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society.

Journal keyword(s): X-rays: bursts - gamma-ray bursts - transients: supernovae

Simbad objects: 23

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