Disappearance of a massive star in the Andromeda Galaxy due to formation of a black hole
3 institutional releases
Published in Science · View the paper (DOI)
A team led by Columbia University professor Kishalay De observed a massive star in the Andromeda galaxy collapse directly into a black hole without exploding as a supernova. This event challenges long-held assumptions about stellar deaths, suggesting that stars with similar mass may or may not successfully explode.
Coverage from 3 institutions
- Scientists capture the clearest view yet of a star collapsing into a black hole Columbia University · Feb 12, 2026 · first to report
- Caught in the act: Astronomers watch a vanishing star turn into a black hole Simons Foundation · Feb 12, 2026
- A disappearing star quietly formed a black hole in the Andromeda Galaxy American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) · Feb 12, 2026