Extragalactic Fast X-ray transients (FXTs) are singular minutes-to-hours bursts of unclear origin. Possible progenitor systems include binary neutron star mergers, white-dwarf tidal disruption events, and supernovae shock breakouts, notably all with potential gravitational wave signatures. Due to existing instrumentation limitations, only ~30 FXTs have thus far been firmly identified, where nearly all were found long after their explosion, precluding follow-up. They have yet to share the same notoriety as Gamma Ray Bursts, despite their observable sky densities potentially outnumbering GRBs by ~1-2 orders of magnitude. I will present an overview of the properties of FXTs and their hosts, as well as the exciting future developments.

Astro Colloquium and 'coffee & cookies' department gathering (3:30-3:45pm)

Please join in 538 Davey or click the link to join: https://psu.zoom.us/j/96372770280