Astronomers discover black hole born quietly without supernova blast

 Astronomers identified a black hole that appears to have formed from the collapse of a large star’s core.

An artist's impression shows a triple star system called V404 Cygni with a black hole and two ordinary stars. Material siphoned from the deformed nearby star (left) is pictured swirling around the black hole (right), as the third star (top right) shines in the distance. PHOTO: REUTERS

Astronomers have made a remarkable discovery that challenges longstanding beliefs about black hole formation. The standard theory has held that black holes are born from the violent explosion of a dying massive star, known as a supernova. But now, researchers have found evidence that suggests a quieter path may exist.

In this case, astronomers identified a black hole that appears to have formed from the collapse of a large star’s core, bypassing the typical supernova blast. Instead of the explosive farewell typically associated with black hole birth, this star’s end came without fanfare, leading to a new type of "silent" black hole. This discovery may signal that some black holes form through a less intense process, altering our understanding of these mysterious cosmic entities.

To further deepen the intrigue, this newly discovered black hole is not isolated but is gravitationally bound to two other stars. This stellar companionship offers astronomers a unique opportunity to study the black hole’s behavior within a multi-star system, possibly providing insights into a broader spectrum of black hole formation processes.

As scientists continue observing this silent black hole, they hope it will offer clues to a potentially common, yet previously overlooked, formation method. This quieter birth mode might reshape our understanding of how black holes come into existence and could hint at other black holes hiding quietly in plain sight, formed without the spectacular explosions once thought to be essential.

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