Scientists Fascinated by Black Hole Devouring a Star from Within: What We Learned!

This summer, astronomers identified a powerful gamma ray burst (GRB) that has them puzzled. GRBs usually come from dying stars, releasing as much energy in moments as our Sun does over its entire life. But this one, named GRB 250702B, lasted an astonishing seven hours and repeated multiple times, which is unusual for such cosmic events.

A new theory suggests that instead of a black hole consuming a star—common in cosmic scenarios—a star might have swallowed a black hole instead. Once inside, the black hole could tear apart the star’s core and eat it from the inside, generating a jet of high-energy particles. This could explain the unusual duration and repeats of the GRB.

Astrophysicist Daniel Perley commented on this idea, noting that it allows for a longer time scale for GRB-like phenomena. The normal scenario involves a star being shredded by a supermassive black hole. But this new theory involves a smaller black hole, formed from a collapsing star, sinking into another star nearing the end of its life.

Historically, tidal disruption events have shown how black holes can annihilate stars, particularly those close to supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies. GRB 250702B flips the script, suggesting a more dynamic interaction.

Hendrik van Eerten from the University of Bath finds the new theory compelling. The GRB was detected by NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope on July 2, originating billions of light-years away, which rules out proximity as a reason for its intense energy.

While other possible explanations exist—like stars collapsing or mid-sized black holes at play—none fully address the peculiarities of GRB 250702B. As researchers continue to explore this cosmic mystery, the beauty and complexity of our universe remain ever fascinating.

For further reading on cosmic events and black holes, you might check out recent studies on NASA’s official site.

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