Gamma-ray burst GRB 250704B may have preceded magnetar birth

On July 4, a short gamma-ray burst GRB 250704B lasting about 0.4 seconds was recorded, typically associated with mergers of compact objects like neutron stars. At the same time, the Einstein Probe satellite observed this region of sky in soft X-rays. Scientists are analyzing whether a rare object called a magnetar could have formed from the merger.