Black hole shredded a massive star in record blast — something may have survived

Astronomers observed a tidal disruption event dubbed "the Whippet," in which a black hole shredded a massive star and briefly released energy equivalent to 400 billion times the Sun's output, sending a shock wave outward at one-fifth the speed of light. Months after the explosion, scientists detected unexpectedly fast-moving helium, suggesting some structure may have survived the destruction. The event is among the most energetic stellar explosions ever recorded.

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