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Newborn Black Hole Candidate Disappears in Andromeda Galaxy

2/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers observed the Andromeda star M31-2014-DS1 disappear between 2014 and 2022, making it the closest newborn black hole candidate.
A study led by Kishalay De suggests it formed about a five-solar-mass black hole, obscured by gas and dust.
Other researchers propose it could instead be a rare stellar merger.
Future observations with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope may clarify the interpretation.

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Story summary

Astronomers observed the Andromeda star M31-2014-DS1 disappear between 2014 and 2022, making it the closest newborn black hole candidate.
A study led by Kishalay De suggests it formed about a five-solar-mass black hole, obscured by gas and dust.
Other researchers propose it could instead be a rare stellar merger.
Future observations with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope may clarify the interpretation.