"Devouring Stars: Atom-size Black Holes Unleash Ancient Destruction"

New research suggests that primordial black holes, formed shortly after the Big Bang, may have been captured by stars and could still exist within them today. Detecting these ancient black holes could provide insights into the early universe and black hole formation. Theoretical mini black holes that are snared by stars could either have no effect on the star or grow efficiently by consuming it from the inside out, causing the star to swell up like a red giant. These "red stragglers" could potentially be powered by small black holes at their cores, known as Hawking stars. If primordial black holes exist, they could be pervasive in the universe, including our own cosmic neighborhood. Further investigation is needed to observe the pulsations of potential Hawking star candidates and determine if they host black holes at their cores.