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This star survived a black hole—and came back for more
DISTANT GALAXY, JUL 21 – Researchers led by Tel Aviv University observed two nearly identical flares from a star partially disrupted by a supermassive black hole, marking the first confirmed repeating tidal disruption event.
- A group of researchers from Tel Aviv University documented a star that survived close passage by a supermassive black hole and produced a second flare event, designated AT 2022dbl, with their findings published on July 1, 2025.
- The discovery followed two nearly identical flares about two years apart, suggesting the star was only partially disrupted and escaped destruction after the first encounter.
- Researchers ruled out two separate stars being devoured and concluded both flares came from repeated close passes of the same star around the black hole.
- Professor Arcavi explained that observing a third flare would suggest the second flare involved only a partial disruption of the star, prompting a need to reconsider the current understanding of these events.
- This discovery challenges previous assumptions about stellar disruptions and implies potential for observing a third flare around two years after the second, reshaping theories on black hole feeding events.
12 Articles
12 Articles
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Israeli-led team first to observe star survive black hole and return
A Tel Aviv University–led team observed a star survive a supermassive black hole encounter and return two years later — a first in astronomy; the rare event challenges theories on stellar disruption and hints at long-term black hole interactions
This star survived a black hole—and came back for more
Lightning might not strike twice, but black holes apparently do. An international group of researchers led by Tel Aviv University astronomers observed a flare caused when a star falls onto a black hole and is destroyed.
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