A huge and dense mass has been discovered in our galaxy, researchers report in the journal Science.
Scientists suggest it could be the largest neutron star ever observed or the lowest-mass black hole in the universe. One way or another, this finding could have significant implications for our understanding of the cosmos.
A neutron star forms when a collection of neutrons is held together by gravitational forces. This star is formed when the heart of a massive star collapses, leaving behind small, compact debris.
However, a neutron star can collapse by becoming too massive. This phenomenon, which occurs when the celestial body connects with other stars, can lead to the formation of black holes.
Astronomers estimate that a neutron star has 2.2 times the mass of the Sun. Black holes, in turn, are five times denser than the sun. This mass gap between neutron stars and black holes allows scientists to understand how both phenomena arise when a star dies.
The evolution of the objects that enable this increase in mass is still very little known, which astronomers say makes this discovery very important.
Understand the gap better
The unknown object, which has about 2.7 times the mass of the Sun, appears to be at the beginning of this development. Although researchers are having difficulty identifying it, they believe it will allow them to better understand the evolution of the two celestial phenomena.
The mass was discovered 40,000 light-years away between several very dense stars. The latter was characterized by a different rotation rhythm than the other stars. It was discovered using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa.
According to information from The Independent