Read, Watch or Listen

Astronomers have observed a supermassive black hole, located 2,600 light-years from its galaxy's center, consuming a star. This event, AT2024tvd, was detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility and confirmed by Hubble and Chandra. The black hole's off-center position is unusual for such objects. This is the first offset tidal disruption event discovered through optical surveys, offering insights into rogue black holes. The researchers theorize the black hole may have originated from a smaller galaxy merging with the larger one or was ejected from a three-body black hole system. Future telescopes promise more discoveries of these elusive objects.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.