On November 7, 2024, astrophysicists at MIT reported that a supergiant star in the Andromeda galaxy had dimmed dramatically and disappeared.

This event is thought to be a “failed supernova,” suggesting that the star may have collapsed into a black hole without undergoing a complete explosion. 

In a typical failed supernova, a star’s core collapses, forming a black hole, while the surrounding matter falls inward, emitting infrared light in the process.

However, this recent observation is not yet definitive, as other factors, such as obscuring dust clouds, can cause a star to appear as if it has vanished.

Reference : Nasa

Previous studies of potential failed supernovas have detected infrared light through follow-up observations, which may indicate the presence of a newly formed black hole. Yet, researchers are continuing to gather more data to confirm whether this particular event qualifies as a true failed supernova.

If proven to be a failed supernova, this discovery would significantly advance our understanding of stellar death and black hole formation. Scientists are highly interested in predicting the type of death a star might experience based on its mass, as this knowledge is essential to uncovering the life cycle of stars and the creation of black holes in the universe.
 

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