Astronomers Track Star's Ongoing Struggle with Supermassive Black Hole

New observations reveal a star's repeated near-destruction as it orbits a black hole, offering insights into black hole feeding patterns.

• Scientists used NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory to observe the star's interactions with the black hole AT2018fyk.
• The star, initially discovered in 2018, survives by shedding material during each close pass to the black hole.
• Researchers predict the star's next close approach and potential consumption by the black hole in 2025.
• These findings help astronomers understand the dynamics of tidal disruption events and black hole feeding.
• The study challenges previous assumptions about the finality of black hole encounters with stars.

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