Black Hole Found Without Supernova: ‘Vanishing’ Star in Andromeda

This week in science, a star’s quiet collapse into a black hole captured the attention of astronomers, offering a rare glimpse into a process previously only theorized. Alongside this cosmic event, researchers are making strides in understanding the complexities of the human brain, developing latest materials with unique properties, and uncovering insights into the evolution of life on Earth. Here’s a roundup of discoveries that recently emerged from the flow of scientific data.

A Star’s Silent Demise in Andromeda

Astronomers have observed a massive star in the Andromeda galaxy, designated M31-2014-DS1, that appears to have collapsed directly into a black hole without the dramatic explosion typically associated with such events. The findings, published in the journal Science, are based on archival data from NASA’s Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) mission, which operated from 2009 to 2024. The star initially brightened in infrared light in 2014, but by 2023, it had dimmed significantly in visible light, effectively disappearing from view.

This “failed supernova,” as it’s been called, challenges conventional understanding of stellar evolution. Typically, when a massive star exhausts its nuclear fuel, its core collapses, triggering a supernova explosion that disperses much of the star’s material into space. The remaining core then forms either a neutron star or a black hole. However, M31-2014-DS1 seems to have bypassed the supernova stage altogether. As NASA’s Science@NASA reports, the star left behind a shroud of hot gas and dust, indicating a direct collapse into a black hole.

Kishalay De, a professor at Columbia University and an associate research scientist at the Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute, likened the event to the sudden disappearance of Betelgeuse, a bright star in our own Milky Way galaxy. “Imagine if the star Betelgeuse suddenly disappeared. Everybody would lose their minds!” he said, as reported by Caltech. The research team, led by De and Professor Mansi Kasliwal of Caltech, analyzed over a decade of infrared data from NEOWISE to identify this unusual event.

The Role of Convection

The key to this direct collapse may lie in the process of convection within the star. Convection occurs when hotter, less dense material rises, while cooler, denser material sinks. The authors of the Science paper suggest that vigorous convection in the star’s outer layers prevented much of the stellar material from falling inward during the core collapse. Instead, the inner layers orbited the newly formed black hole and ejected the outer layers, which cooled and formed a shell of dust. This dust warms in response to the orbiting hot gas, emitting mid-infrared wavelengths and creating a faint glow that is expected to persist for decades.

This finding supports theoretical operate from the 1970s, which proposed that some massive stars might directly collapse into black holes without a supernova. The NEOWISE data provides the most intimate look yet at this process, offering valuable insights into the formation of black holes and the final stages of stellar evolution.

Beyond Black Holes: Other Recent Science Highlights

While the vanishing star is a particularly striking discovery, it’s just one of many recent advances across various scientific disciplines. Here are a few other notable developments:

Brain-Computer Interfaces: Researchers are developing increasingly sophisticated brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) that can restore movement and communication to individuals with paralysis. Recent studies have demonstrated the ability to decode brain signals with greater accuracy, allowing for more natural and intuitive control of prosthetic limbs and assistive devices.
New Materials: Scientists have synthesized a novel material with exceptional strength and flexibility, potentially revolutionizing industries ranging from aerospace to construction. The material, a polymer composite, exhibits a unique molecular structure that allows it to withstand extreme stress and deformation.
Paleontology: A new fossil discovery in Argentina has shed light on the evolution of early dinosaurs. The fossil, a remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a previously unknown species, provides evidence of a transitional form between primitive reptiles and more advanced dinosaurs.
Climate Science: A comprehensive analysis of ocean currents has revealed a previously underestimated feedback loop that could accelerate the rate of climate change. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, suggests that warming ocean temperatures are disrupting deep-sea currents, leading to increased heat absorption and further warming.
Genetics: Researchers have identified a gene variant associated with increased longevity in humans. The variant, found in a small percentage of the population, appears to protect against age-related diseases and extend lifespan.

What Comes Next: Continued Observation and Theoretical Refinement

The study of M31-2014-DS1 is far from over. Astronomers will continue to monitor the star’s surroundings using a variety of telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope, to gather more data on the dust shell and the newly formed black hole. This ongoing observation will help refine our understanding of the direct collapse process and test the theoretical models that explain it. Further research will also focus on identifying other potential “failed supernova” candidates in the Andromeda galaxy and beyond, potentially revealing that this type of stellar demise is more common than previously thought.