NASA Observes Massive Black Hole Devouring a Star Nearby
WHO:
NASA - The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is involved in the observation.
New Scientist Space - Astronomers are studying the black hole.
WHAT:
Phys.org - A team of astronomers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has observed a "wandering" black hole located tens of thousands of light-years from the center of its galaxy.
Phys.org - The findings are published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, indicating that this event could reshape scientists' understanding of how massive black holes move through the universe after galaxies collide.
NASA - The black hole was described as a "wandering" mega black hole, which is a term used to indicate its straying from the center of its galaxy.
Space.com - The black hole is associated with a galaxy nicknamed the "red potato," which is noted for its unique shape.
NASA - The observatory captured an “orphan” black hole devouring a star.
New Scientist Space - A supermassive black hole was observed straying far from the center of its galaxy.
WHERE:
NASA - The event occurred on the outskirts of a faraway galaxy.
WHY:
NASA - The observation of star-shredding events is part of a search for rare astronomical phenomena.
HOW:
NASA - The black hole was observed using light from the star being ripped apart.
(UPDATED July 27, 2026 19:26 UTC)
Astronomers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have made a groundbreaking discovery of a "wandering" black hole located tens of thousands of light-years from the center of its galaxy. Their findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggest that this event could significantly change how scientists understand the movement of massive black holes in the universe following galaxy collisions. This research opens up new avenues for exploring the dynamics of black holes and their interactions in cosmic environments.
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(UPDATED July 27, 2026 18:25 UTC)
NASA has announced the discovery of a "wandering" mega black hole, a term that highlights its movement away from the center of its galaxy. This black hole is linked to a galaxy affectionately nicknamed the "red potato," recognized for its distinctive shape. The findings shed new light on the behavior of black holes and their relationship with the galaxies they inhabit.
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(UPDATED July 27, 2026 17:34 UTC)
NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has made a remarkable discovery by capturing an “orphan” black hole devouring a star on the outskirts of a distant galaxy. Astronomers are studying this supermassive black hole, which has strayed far from the center of its galaxy, as part of their ongoing search for rare astronomical phenomena. The observation was made possible by analyzing the light emitted from the star as it was being shredded by the black hole's immense gravitational pull.