Astronomers have observed a bright star in the Andromeda galaxy seemingly disappear, leading to the possibility that it collapsed into a black hole.
A Star’s Sudden Demise
The star, once one of the brightest in the Andromeda galaxy, is now undetectable even with the most sensitive telescopes, according to Columbia University and the Flatiron Institute astronomer Kishalay De. Researchers noticed the star’s disappearance while analyzing 15 years of data collected by NASA’s NEOWISE spacecraft.
Around 2015, the star experienced a period of brightening for about a year before abruptly fading in both infrared and visible light. By a few years later, it was no longer visible in optical light.
The observed behavior is consistent with the star collapsing under its own gravity to form a black hole. If This represents the case, the faint infrared glow remaining may be powered by stellar material falling into the black hole.
What Happens Next?
Scientists predict the star will continue to fade into darkness, though this process could grab decades to fully observe. While stars typically die in spectacular supernova explosions, some theoretical astrophysicists believe stars can also collapse quietly into black holes.
Astronomer Suvi Gezari of the University of Maryland noted that the study’s use of long-term infrared observations was key to revealing this process. Astronomers have identified one other similar case of a disappearing star, though it was fainter and farther away.
While the black hole formation is the leading explanation, some astronomers suggest the star may have merged with another, with the resulting light obscured by dust. Further telescope observations will be needed to confirm the star’s ultimate fate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What galaxy did the star disappear from?
The star disappeared from the Andromeda galaxy.
How did astronomers notice the star’s disappearance?
Astronomers noticed the star’s disappearance while reviewing archival data collected over 15 years by NASA’s NEOWISE spacecraft.
What is one possible explanation for what happened to the star?
One possible explanation is that the star collapsed into a black hole.
What do you consider about the possibility of “quiet” black hole formations, and how might they change our understanding of the universe?
