The possible disappearance of a massive star in the dwarf galaxy of Kinman has aroused the curiosity of researchers. The blue luminosity of the celestial body positioned at 75 million light years from Earth had been observed by specialists between 2001 and 2011. But it did not appear during shots taken in 2019. In a study made public this Tuesday, astronomers studied the phenomenon and evoke two hypotheses to explain this "cosmic mystery".
Has the star turned into a stellar black hole?
Experts from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) explain that the celestial body is actually likely to still be present in the Kinman galaxy. On the other hand, its brightness would have diminished or would be less easily visible via observation instruments. The dust present in this environment with particularly low metallicity could for example mask the brightness of the star.
ESO scientists, based in Ireland, the United States and Chile, are also considering the path of the transformation of the star into a stellar black hole after its collapse on itself. The study authors are surprised, however, not to have detected the appearance of a supernova, which always accompanies this process.
A great first?
If the collapse of the star and the absence of an explosion were proven, it would be a great first in the history of space observations, writes Numerama . The fact remains that the formation of a supernova could well have intervened without being observed by the researchers.
They are now counting on additional information to refine their interpretations. Specialists expect a lot from the data that the European Giant Telescope (ELT) can provide them from 2025, the planned date of its deployment.
Science
Astronomy: A mysterious fast radio burst which follows a very precise cycle in Space
Science
A star that "pulses" only on one side discovered by a team of researchers
- Space
- stars
- Astronomy
- Science