Black hole may have ripped star apart causing unprecedented explosion
Friday, April 8, 2011 - 10:32
in Astronomy & Space
Astronomers are studying one of the most puzzling cosmic blasts yet observed. More than a week later, high-energy radiation continues to brighten and fade from its location. Astronomers say that the unusual blast likely arose when a star wandered too close to its galaxy's central black hole. Intense tidal forces tore the star apart, and the infalling gas continues to stream toward the hole.