A recent study conducted by astrophysicists at the University of Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute has provided compelling evidence that massive stars can collapse and become black holes without a supernova explosion. This discovery challenges the conventional wisdom that massive stars will end their lives in a dramatic supernova explosion. The researchers found that a star’s gravitational pull can be so strong that it collapses into a black hole without generating an explosion, leaving no trace of its existence in the night sky.
The researchers studied an unusual binary star system called VFTS 243 located at the edge of the Milky Way, where a star and a black hole orbit each other. Despite one of the stars collapsing into a black hole, there were no signs of an explosion in the system. The symmetrical orbit of the system and the lack of a significant “natal kick” indicated that the black hole was likely formed without the occurrence of a supernova.
The study of VFTS 243 provides a unique opportunity for astrophysicists to compare observational data with theoretical models of stellar evolution and collapse. By analyzing the orbital characteristics and energy release of the system, researchers can gain insight into the formation of black holes and the mechanisms involved in the collapse of massive stars. The findings from VFTS 243 could serve as a benchmark for future research in astrophysics.
The absence of a significant “natal kick” and the lack of asymmetry in the orbit of VFTS 243 suggest that the black hole formed through a process of complete collapse without a supernova explosion. The researchers estimated that the small kick imparted during the stellar collapse was likely due to neutrinos, which interact weakly with matter. This further supports the theory that the system did not experience an explosive event during the star’s collapse.
Black holes are mysterious cosmic objects that can be identified by their influence on surrounding stars and gases. While some black holes emit energy from rotating gases, others like VFTS 243 are observed through their impact on neighboring stars. There are different types of black holes, including stellar black holes, supermassive black holes, and intermediate-mass black holes, each formed under different conditions and with varying masses.
In recent years, astronomers have observed numerous instances of disappearing stars, sparking curiosity and interest in understanding the phenomenon. Research efforts like “A Survey about Nothing” aim to investigate these vanishing stars and uncover the reasons behind their sudden disappearance. Historical accounts also describe stories of disappearing stars, with some attributed to supernova events and others to mythical explanations like the Greek myth of the Pleiades star cluster. These observations and legends provide valuable insights into the enigmatic nature of the cosmos and the intriguing behavior of celestial objects.
