Scientists believe they detected a black hole swallowing a neutron star, causing ripples in space and time
By Sophie Lewis
/ CBS News
About 900 million years ago, a black hole probably swallowed up a dead star. Last week, the resulting ripples in space and time were finally detected on Earth.
If these scientific observations are confirmed, the cosmic collision would be the first example of a black hole colliding with a neutron star, possibly offering new insights into the expansion of the universe.
In April, gravitational wave observatories in the U.S. and Europe reignited a search for extreme cosmic events. Astronomers have since detected 23 potential events, but the latest one would be the first of its kind.
Trending News
The event, referred to as S190814bv, was detected Wednesday by two LIGO detectors in the U.S. (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) and the Virgo detector in Italy. Scientists observed ripples in space-time, suggesting they could have occurred due to a black hole swallowing a neutron star.
Latest @LIGO @ego_virgo update on #S190814bv labels it "NSBH". This means that, if confirmed, our candidate event *could* be an exciting new milestone: the first ever detection of a #NeutronStar #BlackHole merger. But, as always in science, we must be cautious… 1/5 pic.twitter.com/eWMjquMvUg
— LIGO (@LIGO) August 17, 2019
A neutron star is created following a supernova explosion and is extremely small and dense, consisting mostly of tightly-packed neutrons. An average neutron star has about 1.5 times the mass of the sun, but a radius of only between 6 and 12 miles.
In the past few months, three other similar events have been detected, but it's possible they were "noise" rather than real events. In the case of S190814bv, scientists said the chance the signal is a false alarm is one-in-trillions-of-years.
While this is the most confident scientists have been, they are still urging caution until the event is confirmed. For example, the collision could have been two merging black holes — still an exciting discovery of a black hole lighter than any seen before.
"There is the slight but intriguing possibility that the swallowed object was a very light black hole — much lighter than any other black hole we know about in the Universe," said Professor Susan Scott, leader of the General Relativity Theory and Data Analysis Group at Australian National University and chief investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery. "That would be a truly awesome consolation prize."
Astronomers are now working to confirm the size of the two objects that crashed together to form the cosmic ripples. They are also scanning the area with telescopes where they believe the event occurred, searching for light that may have radiated by the merger.
LIGO first detected gravitational waves in 2015, a century after Albert Einstein first predicted their existence with his general theory of relativity.
LIGO and Virgo have since detected black holes merging together and neutron stars merging together, but never an interaction between the two. Confirmation of the collision would complete a trifecta of cosmic detections.
"We will either see a neutron star being ripped apart by a black hole, or getting swallowed whole like Pac-Man swallowing a ghost," said Simon Stevenson, an astronomer with Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. "Either way, we are in for a show!"
First published on August 20, 2019 / 6:23 PM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Black hole possibly swallowed neutron star, causing ripples in space
The cosmic collision could be the first example of a black hole colliding with a neutron star — possibly offering new insights into the expansion of the universe
4M ago 
Rapidly decaying Titanic could disappear in decades
Explorers on the first manned voyage in nearly 15 years were astonished by the famous ship's rapid decay
33M ago 
U.S. athletes punished for protesting at Pan American Games
Fencer Race Imboden kneeled on the medal stand and hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist during the national anthem and both face 12-month probation
2H ago 
Spacewalk installs key upgrade to station
The new port will allow two U.S. commercial crew ships to dock at the space station at the same time
4H ago 
Cardinal George Pell loses appeal of sex abuse convictions
Australian court upholds unanimous jury verdict that most senior Catholic to be found guilty of sexually abusing kids molested two choirboys in late 1990s
6H ago 
Trump administration unveils rule to detain migrant families longer
The White House hopes to upend a landmark court settlement that has governed the care of migrant children in U.S. custody for two decades
8M ago 
Man caught with guns and extremist material after car accident in N.J.
Authorities in New Jersey found more than a dozen guns, a grenade launcher and items with white supremacist symbols
13M ago 
Veteran's widow speaks out after former VA doctor charged in deaths
Wife of retired Army Sergeant Michael McCoy says he knew the Veterans Affairs "had failed him"
32M ago 
The Fed says trade is main reason U.S. economy is slowing
While President Trump blasts Jerome Powell for slowdown, Fed officials put the blame squarely on trade tensions
32M ago
Rapidly decaying Titanic could disappear in decades
Explorers on the first manned voyage in nearly 15 years were astonished by the famous ship's rapid decay
33M ago
Trump administration unveils rule to detain migrant families longer
The White House hopes to upend a landmark court settlement that has governed the care of migrant children in U.S. custody for two decades
8M ago
The Fed says trade is main reason U.S. economy is slowing
While President Trump blasts Jerome Powell for slowdown, Fed officials put the blame squarely on trade tensions
32M ago 
Trump naysayers want to see what the mood is in New Hampshire
John Kasich is planning a visit to New Hampshire next month, and Mark Sanford has also made a trip to the state
53M ago 
2020 Daily Trail Markers: Kasich plans New Hampshire trip
And Mark Sanford, who's considering a White House run, told CBS. "If you look at a state like New Hampshire, there certainly is historic precedent for somebody getting in during this window of time"
59M ago 
Nikki Haley dismisses rumors of a Trump-Haley 2020 ticket
In a tweet, Haley decried the "false rumors" that she would replace Pence on the 2020 ticket and called the vice president a "dear friend"
2H ago 
The Obamas' first film, "American Factory," debuts on Netflix
Documentary explores impact of globalization, centering on a closed Ohio plant that reopens under Chinese management
2H ago 
Woodstock at 50, in the words, and music, of those who were there
A half-century after a mass of humanity converged on a farm in Bethel, N.Y. for three days of peace and music, musicians and concert-goers recall a unique moment for their generation
Aug 4 
Rescue pup to star in "Lady and the Tramp" remake
Just last year, Monte was living in a shelter – now he's on the road to fame
5H ago 
Revitalizing a Detroit neighborhood with objects left behind
The Heidelberg Project now attracts an estimated 200,000 visitors a year
6H ago 
Sebastian Maniscalco talks hosting the VMA's
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is well known for getting a lot of laughs with his observational comedy. His four-show run at New York’s Madison Square Garden earlier this year, broke records for ticket sales. It was the highest-grossing comedy event in North America, according to Billboard, beating the record set by Dave Chappelle in 2014. Sebastian is getting ready to host the MTV Video Music Awards next week. He joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss how he is preparing for his very first gig as an award show host.
9H ago 06:43 
Instagram says there's "no truth" to new hoax post, so don't share it
The fake notice has already fooled many of your friends and many celebrities
4H ago 
Facebook will let users see how company tracks them
Users will be able to disconnect their account from data Facebook gathers elsewhere on the web—after a wait period
1H ago 
More than 20 Texas local governments hit by ransomware attack
Cyberattack typically spreads through malicious links in emails and has crippled a string of cities in recent years
3H ago 
Proposed laws could change how consumers get smartphones repaired
Twenty states are considering so-called "Right to Repair" bills to allow electronics to be fixed without jeopardizing quality or voiding warranties
Aug 19 
Coming soon to Netflix: Movie trailers crafted by AI
Streaming giant is investing in tech that can automate part of the trailer-making process for its massive library
Aug 19
Black hole possibly swallowed neutron star, causing ripples in space
The cosmic collision could be the first example of a black hole colliding with a neutron star — possibly offering new insights into the expansion of the universe
4M ago
Rapidly decaying Titanic could disappear in decades
Explorers on the first manned voyage in nearly 15 years were astonished by the famous ship's rapid decay
33M ago 
Louisiana island may soon be lost to rising waters
Rising sea levels and the intrusion of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico have destroyed much of the island's natural protective barrier
49M ago 
Smoke plumes from Amazon rainforest fires spotted from space
The sky in Sao Paulo, Brazil, went dark Monday due to the smoke carried in from nearly 1,700 miles away
1H ago 
World's largest highway overpass for wildlife on track in Calif.
$87 million bridge will enable all sorts of species to cross in search of food, mates, space without risk of becoming roadkill and aid conservation efforts
6H ago
Veteran's widow speaks out after former VA doctor charged in deaths
Wife of retired Army Sergeant Michael McCoy says he knew the Veterans Affairs "had failed him"
32M ago 
Wisdom teeth removal contributes to opioid crisis, experts warn
Many who have their wisdom teeth removed are prescribed opioid painkillers – but there may be a better, safer option
9H ago 
How much a family with good health insurance spent last year
Employee health care costs have risen twice as fast as wages—those with coverage pay thousands of dollars more
11H ago 
Former VA pathologist charged in deaths of 3 veterans
Federal prosecutors say Dr. Robert Levy showed up for work impaired, misdiagnosed patients and falsified records to cover up his errors
13H ago 
U.S. won't give flu vaccines to migrants in border detention centers
Three migrant children have died in the past year from the flu
Aug 20
How much a family with good health insurance spent last year
Employee health care costs have risen twice as fast as wages—those with coverage pay thousands of dollars more
11H ago 
Why Trump's payroll tax cut wouldn't do much for the economy
As the White House vacillates over another another tax cut, economists of all political stripes say: Don't bother
Aug 20
The Fed says trade is main reason U.S. economy is slowing
While President Trump blasts Jerome Powell for slowdown, Fed officials put the blame squarely on trade tensions
32M ago
The Obamas' first film, "American Factory," debuts on Netflix
Documentary explores impact of globalization, centering on a closed Ohio plant that reopens under Chinese management
2H ago 
Why U.S. Steel, a showcase for Trump, is laying off workers
Donald Trump has touted his steel tariffs as bolstering U.S. Steel, but market stagnation is hurting demand
21H ago
Man caught with guns and extremist material after car accident in N.J.
Authorities in New Jersey found more than a dozen guns, a grenade launcher and items with white supremacist symbols
13M ago 
America's deadliest mass shootings
These are the deadliest mass shootings in American history
Aug 5 40 photos
Veteran's widow speaks out after former VA doctor charged in deaths
Wife of retired Army Sergeant Michael McCoy says he knew the Veterans Affairs "had failed him"
32M ago 
Stolen dog found by local CBS reporter
After seeing surveillance of Lucy being stolen, KHOU-TV reporter Matthew Dougherty made it his mission to find her
40M ago 
Investigators haven't raided Epstein's ranch
Days after Jeffrey Epstein apparently hanged himself in jail, agents raided his private resort in the Virgin Islands. But they haven't checked out Epstein's ranch in New Mexico. Mola Lenghi explains why it may be of interest to authorities.
updated 10M ago 02:04
Black hole possibly swallowed neutron star, causing ripples in space
The cosmic collision could be the first example of a black hole colliding with a neutron star — possibly offering new insights into the expansion of the universe
4M ago
Spacewalk installs key upgrade to station
The new port will allow two U.S. commercial crew ships to dock at the space station at the same time
4H ago 
NASA's step forward in new moon plan
NASA has moved a step closer in resuming human space missions since the program was shuttered in 2011. CBS News' Marc Liverman reports from Huntsville, Alabama, where NASA announced it will manage the building of the new human lunar lander.
Aug 18 01:49 
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
Aug 16 
Milky Way black hole emits mysterious light flare
Scientists spot a flare of light coming from a black hole in the Milky Way. Syracuse University physics professor Duncan Brown explains to CBSN how the mysterious event may have occurred.
Aug 15 06:27 
Jason Corbett murder: A look at the evidence
In August 2015, former FBI agent Tom Martens and his daughter Molly Corbett admitted killing her Irish-born husband Jason Corbett, insisting they beat him in self-defense with a brick paver and a baseball bat because Jason was choking Molly and threatening to kill her
Aug 17 11 photos 
Michael Gargiulo case: Stabbing deaths of three women linked to suspected serial killer
Investigators link murders of Tricia Pacaccio, Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno to same suspect: Michael Gargiulo
Aug 15 13 photos 
The worst movies of 2019
The worst films of the year star big name actors, including Keanu Reeves, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Hemsworth.
Aug 9 51 photos 
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
A traveling exhibition of gothic and occult art, sideshow performers, and bizarre specimens stopped outside Chicago, where CBS News photographer Jake Barlow took in the odd sights
Jul 22 24 photos 
New York's Central Park
America's first major landscaped public park, the 840-acre park in Manhattan welcomes more than 37 million visitors every year
Jul 21 25 photos 
Popular
Titanic could disappear in decades
Time and tides have been unkind to the Titanic. Explorers on the first manned voyage in nearly 15 years were astonished to find its rapid decay. Charlie D'Agata explains.
updated 8M ago 01:35 
Video shows students giving Nazi salute
A California school district is reopening an investigation after video surfaced of students giving a Nazi salute. Parents are furious officials kept the incident quiet. Carter Evans reports.
updated 9M ago 01:59 
Rising waters threaten Louisiana island
It's expected to be an above-average hurricane season, which is bad news for Native Americans on a small island off the Louisiana coast. Rising waters are swallowing up their land, making them some of the country's first climate refugees. Mireya Villarreal reports.
updated 10M ago 03:08 
A climate reckoning in the heartland
A historic flood in March 2019 left much of America's heartland under water. Grain farmers already struggling to bounce back from the Chinese trade war must now grapple with the realities of climate change that threaten to change the future of farming forever. Now, some farmers are implementing practices that could potentially reverse the effects of climate change – and provide a bigger profit. In this CBSN Originals documentary, Adam Yamaguchi travels to Nebraska, where he meets two farmers on different paths, both determined to pass their legacies on to the next generation.
Jul 26 23:07
Investigators haven't raided Epstein's ranch
Days after Jeffrey Epstein apparently hanged himself in jail, agents raided his private resort in the Virgin Islands. But they haven't checked out Epstein's ranch in New Mexico. Mola Lenghi explains why it may be of interest to authorities.
updated 10M ago 02:04
