Astronomers announced on August 12, 2026, the discovery of a new type of astronomical object called a 'black hole star,' which could solve a mystery involving strange red dots spotted in the early universe. The findings were presented at a press conference in Paris.
These objects appear as stars but are much larger, potentially reaching sizes comparable to the solar system. They are thought to be powered by a central black hole that accretes matter, emitting intense radiation. This mechanism could explain the unusual brightness and red color of the dots observed by the James Webb Space Telescope.
The team, led by researchers from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), used data from multiple observatories to confirm the existence of these objects. Their study has been submitted for peer review but has not yet been published in a scientific journal.
If confirmed, 'black hole stars' would represent a new phase in the evolution of early galaxies, bridging the gap between the first stars and supermassive black holes. Further observations are planned to validate the theory.
