基于这一认识，团队重新审视了十年前发现的另一颗具有类似光变特征的恒星NGC 6946-BH1，并 确认它也应归类于"直接坍缩为黑洞"的天体。如今看来，它们可能代表了一类此前未被充分认识的恒星 死亡形式。 总编辑圈点 这项研究迅速在天文界引起广泛关注，因为其不仅验证并完善了大质量恒星坍缩形成黑洞的理论模 型，也为解释黑洞的起源提供了关键线索。更关键的是，一个新生黑洞，它周围尘埃碎屑发出的红外辐 射将持续数十年。那么，未来借助包括韦布空间望远镜在内的诸多天文设备，人们就能对类似天体进行 长期监测，从而建立关于恒星黑洞形成的观测基准。 天文学家首次完整观测到一颗大质量恒星在生命终点并未经历超新星爆发，而是直接坍缩形成黑 洞。这项发现基于对该恒星长达十余年的持续监测与历史数据综合分析，为理解恒星如何演化为黑洞提 供了迄今最完整的物理图景。相关研究成果12日发表于《科学》杂志，其标志着人类对恒星终结与黑洞 形成机制的认识进入新阶段。 这颗名为M31-2014-DS1的恒星位于距地球约250万光年的仙女座星系。美国加州理工学院研究团队 分析了2005年至2023年间来自美国国家航空航天局NEOWISE项目及其他多台地面与 ...

Core Insights - NASA's SPHEREx space telescope has successfully created the first all-sky infrared map with 102 colors, aiding in the understanding of physical processes post-Big Bang and the evolution of galaxies over nearly 14 billion years [1][2] - The telescope, launched in March, orbits the Earth approximately 14.5 times a day and captures around 3,600 images daily, achieving full-sky coverage after six months of operation [1] - SPHEREx's unique capability lies in its ability to capture a wide range of infrared colors simultaneously, providing detailed information about star and planet formation regions [2] Group 1 - SPHEREx was launched in March and has completed a full-sky survey, producing a panoramic image by December [1] - The telescope operates with six detectors, each equipped with specially designed filters to capture 17 gradient colors, resulting in images composed of 102 different color layers [1] - The combination of wide field of view and multi-color detection distinguishes SPHEREx from other survey projects, such as NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer [2] Group 2 - SPHEREx captures infrared light that is not visible to the human eye, providing unique insights into the universe's structure and the distribution of key materials for life within the Milky Way [2] - Previous projects have created all-sky maps, but none have matched SPHEREx's ability to capture such a rich array of colors simultaneously [2] - The telescope's observations will enhance the understanding of cosmic phenomena and the conditions necessary for life [1][2]

Core Points - An international research team has observed a candidate exoplanet located in the habitable zone of the Alpha Centauri star system using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope [1] - The Alpha Centauri system is approximately 4 light-years away from Earth and consists of three stars, with the brightest star, A, being similar to the Sun [1] - The observed candidate exoplanet is a gaseous planet orbiting star A within the habitable zone, which is the region where conditions may be suitable for life [1] - Most exoplanets have been discovered through indirect methods, but this observation utilized direct imaging techniques to capture high-resolution images of the planet [1] - The research team plans to conduct further observations to confirm their findings, which, if validated, would mark the first direct imaging of an exoplanet in a star's habitable zone [1] - Although the gaseous planet itself is unlikely to support life, it raises exciting possibilities for assessing the habitability of its moons [1] Publication Information - The related paper has been published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters [2]