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NASA’s James Webb Telescope May Have Found First Black Hole Star, Known as ‘The Cliff’

NASA’s James Webb Telescope May Have Found First Black Hole Star, Known as ‘The Cliff’

JWST observed “The Cliff,” an object with a black hole core and luminous gas shell.

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 25 September 2025 23:00 IST

NASA’s James Webb Telescope May Have Found First Black Hole Star, Known as ‘The Cliff’

Photo Credit: NASA

A mysterious galactic object, known as a black hole star, represents an unknown cosmic phenomenon

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Highlights

JWST observes “The Cliff,” possibly a new class of black hole stars
Object has a black hole core surrounded by luminous gas shell
May reshape theories of star formation and black hole growth

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) could have discovered an unknown form of galactic object known as a black hole star. It seems that these objects are made up of a black hole at the center, encircled by a thick luminous shell of gas, which is also a star. This observation, in which a strange object dubbed The Cliff is observed, defies the astronomical knowledge on how the black holes and stars are able to interact.

The Cliff and Its Properties

According to the new study, the Cliff is abnormally bright and has some spectral characteristics. Scientists deduce that its core black hole is swallowing gas in the vicinity at an exponential pace, heating it forming a luminous envelope. The energy is diffused in a compact shell unlike other supermassive black holes or active galactic nuclei and hence the object will look like a star. This blend of the core of a black hole and an emitting atmosphere cannot be assigned any existing category and thus scientists came up with a new classification of objects in the sky which are called black hole stars.

Future Study

If confirmed, black hole stars could provide insight into early-universe black hole formation and the growth of massive objects. JWST's advanced infrared instruments will allow detailed spectroscopy of similar candidates, helping determine gas composition, density, and dynamics. Understanding these objects may reshape theories of star formation, black hole growth, and the interaction between extreme gravity and luminous matter. Researchers will continue to monitor The Cliff and search for additional candidates to verify whether black hole stars represent a new, widespread class in the cosmos.

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