New Study Reveals Massive Stars Can Collapse into Black Holes Without Supernova

Photo byPhoto by Aman Pal on Unsplash

When massive stars exhaust their fuel, they typically end their lives in dramatic supernova explosions. However, some massive stars have seemingly vanished without a trace, perplexing astronomers. A new study offers a compelling explanation: some stars may collapse directly into black holes without an accompanying supernova.

The study focuses on a binary system named VFTS 243, located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This system consists of a black hole and a companion star. No evidence of a supernova explosion should have accompanied the black hole's formation, according to current models. This absence suggests that the black hole may have formed through a "failed" supernova, where the star collapses inward without a visible explosion, making it seem like the star has suddenly disappeared.

Typically, when a star over eight times the mass of the Sun goes supernova, its outer layers are expelled into space, creating an expanding cloud of dust and gas. The core collapses into a neutron star or black hole. However, if the explosion is uneven, the core can receive a "natal kick," ejecting it into space. Over time, the expelled material can dissipate, making it harder to trace the origin of the black hole.

In VFTS 243, the orbit of the companion star around the black hole is nearly circular. This and the system's motion suggest that the black hole did not receive a significant natal kick, reinforcing the failed supernova hypothesis. The star's collapse was likely so complete that it formed a black hole without a bright explosion.

This study provides strong evidence for the theory that some massive stars can directly collapse into black holes. VFTS 243 is currently the best-observed case supporting this scenario and serves as an essential benchmark for understanding stellar evolution and collapse.