SPACE: Astronomers have captured one of the most extraordinary cosmic events ever witnessed — a supermassive black hole consuming a massive star, unleashing a flare so bright it outshines the sun by over 10 trillion times.
The breathtaking event took place nearly 11 billion light-years away, offering scientists a rare glimpse into the early universe. The black hole, estimated to be 300 million times heavier than the sun, tore apart a giant star between 30 to 200 times the sun’s mass, creating an immense burst of energy that surpassed anything ever recorded before.
Experts say the light flare was at least 30 times more luminous than any previously observed black hole flare, marking a new milestone in astrophysical research. The phenomenon, known as a tidal disruption event (TDE), occurs when a star ventures too close to a black hole and is violently ripped apart by its gravitational pull — with its remains spiraling inward to fuel the black hole’s ferocious appetite.
What astonished scientists most was not just the power, but the scale and duration of the flare. The feeding frenzy has lasted for months, continuing to emit enormous bursts of radiation and high-energy particles. According to astronomers, such sustained luminosity suggests the black hole is still actively consuming remnants of the destroyed star.
Researchers believe this discovery could transform our understanding of how black holes evolve and interact with their surrounding galaxies. The immense energy released in such events may play a crucial role in shaping galactic environments — influencing star formation and the distribution of cosmic matter.
“This event gives us a direct look at the destructive beauty of the universe,” said an astrophysicist involved in the study. “It’s a reminder that even in the depths of space, creation and destruction coexist on unimaginable scales.”
Scientists continue to monitor the flare using ground-based and orbital telescopes, hoping to decode more details about how these powerful cosmic giants behave when devouring stars.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.