"Discovery of Missing Link Connects Supernovae to Formation of Black Holes and Neutron Stars"
Astronomers using ESO's VLT and NTT have observed the aftermath of a supernova explosion, finding evidence for the formation of a compact object—a neutron star or a black hole. The supernova, SN 2022jli, exhibited a unique behavior with periodic oscillations in its brightness, indicating the presence of more than one star in the system. The periodic interactions between the compact object and its companion star resulted in regular fluctuations in brightness, suggesting the stealing of hydrogen gas and the formation of a hot disk of matter around the compact object. This discovery provides a direct link between supernovae and the formation of black holes or neutron stars, shedding light on the enigmatic nature of these cosmic phenomena.