Astronomers have detected what may be the first known case of a massive star exploding while interacting with a black hole, thanks to an artificial intelligence (AI) system that flagged unusual cosmic events in real-time. The event, named SN 2023zkd, was observed in July 2023 by the Zwicky Transient Facility in California and captured by telescopes worldwide and in space due to the AI’s early alert.
The star showed signs of a massive interaction with a companion before its explosion, suggesting that AI may help discover new classes of stellar explosions. Initially, SN 2023zkd appeared as a typical supernova but later brightened again after months of gradual increase. The system had been under intense gravitational stress, and the most likely explanation is that it was locked in orbit with a black hole.
Two major eruptions occurred before the star died, shedding large amounts of gas. Evidence indicates that the explosion’s first light peak came from the blast wave striking low-density material, while the second peak was caused by a slower, sustained collision with a dense cloud. The researchers believe that the black hole’s gravity may have destabilized the star, pushing it to collapse.
The discovery highlights the potential of AI in detecting rare cosmic events in real-time and supports the role of upcoming facilities like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will enable astronomers to study these complex events further.
Source: https://www.space.com/technology/ai-helps-astronomers-make-a-potentially-major-find-an-exploding-star-being-attacked-by-a-black-hole