Yes, it was a timer. It's a flashlight. from the article: [...] so it’s likely this photo was an old-school timed selfie. The shutter speed was probably a lit

Yes, it was a timer. It's a flashlight. from the article: [...] so it’s likely this photo was an old-school timed selfie. The shutter speed was probably a little slower than for the other photos in order for him to get into position, which explains why he seems to be moving and why the glow from his flashlight looks like a lightning flash. The graininess of the photo, though, is likely due to the radiation.