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NASA Uncovers Mystery of Vanished Star Without Supernova

1/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

NASA scientists observed a massive star in NGC 6946 that vanished without a supernova.
The star was detected as a red supergiant in 2007.
In 2009 it flared to over one million times the Sun's brightness.
By 2015 the star disappeared, suggesting a failed supernova and altering supernova counts and black hole estimates.
Ongoing observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope aim to learn more.

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Story summary

NASA scientists observed a massive star in NGC 6946 that vanished without a supernova.
The star was detected as a red supergiant in 2007.
In 2009 it flared to over one million times the Sun's brightness.
By 2015 the star disappeared, suggesting a failed supernova and altering supernova counts and black hole estimates.
Ongoing observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope aim to learn more.