Star Gives Birth to Possible Black Hole in Hubble and Spitzer Images

The video explores the disappearance of a massive star in the galaxy NGC 6946, observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. Initially visible in 2007, the star vanished by 2015, leading astronomers to hypothesize it became a black hole without a supernova explosion, a phenomenon termed a 'failed supernova.' Observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope and plans for further analysis with the Chandra X-ray Observatory aim to confirm this. If validated, this would mark the first observed birth of a black hole and a failed supernova, challenging existing theories and opening new avenues in astronomy.

What was the initial observation made by the Hubble Space Telescope regarding the star in Galaxy NGC 6946?

• The star was splitting into two.

• The star was moving rapidly.

• The star had disappeared.

• The star was changing colors.

What is a 'failed supernova' as described in the video?

• A star that becomes a supernova but then reforms.

• A star that expels its outer layers gently without a massive explosion.

• A star that collapses without any explosion.

• A star that explodes more violently than expected.

How did the team check if the star was hidden behind dust?

• By using a ground-based telescope.

• By using the Spitzer Space Telescope for infrared observations.

• By using the Hubble Space Telescope.

• By using radio wave observations.

What future observations are planned to confirm the black hole formation?

• Using the James Webb Space Telescope to observe visible light.

• Using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory to detect X-rays.

• Using the Hubble Space Telescope to detect gamma rays.

• Using the Spitzer Space Telescope to observe ultraviolet light.

What could the discovery of a black hole forming without a supernova imply for astronomy?

• All stars eventually become black holes.

• Supernovas are more common than previously thought.

• A significant percentage of massive stars might form black holes without going supernova.

• Black holes can only form in binary star systems.