Scientists Capture Rare Direct Collapse of Star into Black Hole

Astronomers have recorded what they say is the clearest evidence yet of a star collapsing directly into a black hole without first exploding as a supernova. The discovery was based on observations made by a National Aeronautics and Space Administration telescope.

Rare Stellar Death Observed

The star, named M31-2014-DS1, was located in the Andromeda Galaxy about 2.5 million light-years from Earth.

Researchers found that the star gradually brightened in infrared light over three years before fading suddenly and disappearing, leaving behind a shell of dust.

Though the phenomenon was recorded in 2014, scientists took years to interpret the data and confirm the rare collapse event.

Nature of the Star

M31-2014-DS1 was a massive hydrogen-depleted supergiant.

• Initially about 13 times the mass of the Sun
• Lost mass through powerful stellar winds
• Shrunk to roughly five solar masses before collapse

Instead of exploding as a supernova, the star collapsed quietly into a black hole—an event sometimes called a “failed supernova.”

Why This Discovery Matters

Black holes were first theorised decades ago, and many have been detected in the Milky Way and through gravitational-wave observations. However, scientists still lack clarity on which stars form black holes and how the process unfolds.

This observation provides rare evidence that some massive stars can collapse directly into black holes without a visible explosion, helping refine models of stellar evolution.

What Is a Supernova?

A supernova is an extremely bright explosion marking the death of certain stars.

• Massive stars (more than about five times the Sun’s mass) may explode when nuclear fuel runs out and gravity causes collapse.
• The explosion leaves behind dense remnants such as neutron stars or black holes.
• Another type occurs when a white dwarf in a binary system gains too much mass and explodes.

Source: DTE