A more probable explanation for a continuum flash in the direction of a redshift $\approx$ 11 galaxy

29 Jan 2021 · Charles L. Steinhardt, Michael I. Andersen, Gabriel B. Brammer, Lise Christensen, Johan P. U. Fynbo, Bo Milvang-Jensen, Pascal A. Oesch, Sune Toft ·

Recent work reported the discovery of a gamma-ray burst (GRB) associated with the galaxy GN-z11 at $z\sim 11$. The extreme improbability of the transient source being a GRB in the very early Universe requires robust elimination of all plausible alternative hypotheses. We identify numerous examples of similar transient signals in separate archival MOSFIRE observations and argue that Solar system objects -- natural or artificial -- are a far more probable explanation for these phenomena. An appendix has been added in response to additional points raised in Jiang et al. (2021), which do not change the conclusion.

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A more probable explanation for a continuum flash in the direction of a redshift $\approx$ 11 galaxy

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