What Caused the Strongest Explosion in the Universe?

[Agent C.I]

i was searching for the exact specifics of a type III civilization

when i came across this serious news artical

http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/6598.asp"

Its about a great explosion which happened approximately 50,000 light-years away
On Dec 27 2004.

I do recommend reading it

here are some excerts from the news report

"When Earth saw the strongest ever flash of light from a short explosion 50,000 light years away, scientists first thought it was a cosmic explosion in the natural way. But now many scientists believe it came from a type III civilization that is trying break the barrier of space and type by using huge amount of energy."

"According to scientists, this was an experiment by a type III civilization trying to break open into the Hyperspace with the help of enormous amount of energy."

 

[Math Is Hard]

Funny that they never mention which scientists in particular are making these speculations!

I remember reading about this blast -- it was referred to as a Soft Gamma Ray repeater, and NASA gave this explanation:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/swift_nsu_0205.html

The scientists said the light came from a "giant flare" on the surface of an exotic neutron star, called a magnetar. The apparent magnitude was brighter than a full moon and all historical star explosions. The light was brightest in the gamma-ray energy range, far more energetic than visible light or X-rays and invisible to our eyes.

 

[SpaceTiger]

The flare was from what is known as a Soft Gamma-Ray Repeater and the object was SGR 1806-20. The physical interpretation of the system is that it is a magnetar -- a young neutron star with an extremely strong magnetic field. The object was (and still is) detected in many different wavebands, even showing a steady pulsation in the X-rays. It was not from a Type III civilization.

EDIT: Ah, MIH beat me to it. :)

 

[Chronos]

Hmm, not bad for an information scientist type . . .