University of Copenhagen Astrophysicists Unveil Mystery of Vanishing Stars

Astrophysicists from the University of Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute have made groundbreaking progress in explaining the phenomenon of stars that mysteriously vanish from the night sky. Their study of an unusual binary star system provides compelling evidence that massive stars can collapse directly into black holes without undergoing a supernova explosion.

Typically, massive stars are expected to end their lives in dramatic supernova explosions, ejecting energy and mass into space before leaving behind neutron stars or black holes. However, the researchers’ investigation into the binary star system VFTS 243, located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, suggests a more subtle demise for some stars. The study found that under certain conditions, the core of a massive star can collapse so completely that it forms a black hole without any explosion.

“We believe that the core of a star can collapse under its own weight in the final phase of its life,” explained Alejandro Vigna-Gómez, the study’s first author. “Instead of a supernova explosion, the collapse continues until the star becomes a black hole.” This process, known as a complete collapse, could explain why some stars appear to simply vanish.

The VFTS 243 system, consisting of a large star and a black hole approximately 10 times the mass of the Sun, showed no signs of a past supernova explosion. The orbit of the system has remained almost perfectly circular, indicating a lack of the violent forces usually associated with supernovae. “Our analysis unequivocally points to the fact that the black hole in VFTS 243 was most likely formed immediately, with the energy mainly being lost via neutrinos,” noted Professor Irene Tamborra, a co-author of the study.

This discovery has significant implications for understanding stellar evolution and the formation of black holes. It provides a clear example and plausible explanation for the phenomenon of disappearing stars, which has puzzled astronomers in recent years. The findings from VFTS 243 offer a new benchmark for future research into how massive stars end their lives.

“A Survey about Nothing,” led by astrophysicist Chris Kochanek, is one of the efforts looking for disappearing stars and seeking explanations. Historical records and myths, like the Greek story of the Pleiades, also recount mysterious disappearances of stars, adding to the intrigue of this celestial phenomenon.

The University of Copenhagen’s study marks a major step forward in astrophysics, offering new insights into the final stages of massive stars and the processes leading to the formation of black holes.