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Snacking on Stars

A new study using space- and ground-based data from NASA, the European Space Agency, and other institutions describes three extreme examples of supermassive black holes feasting on massive stars. These events released more energy than 100 supernovae and represent the most energetic type of cosmic explosion since the big bang discovered so far.

Supermassive Black Holes about Snacking on Stars
This illustration shows a glowing stream of material from a star as it is being devoured by a supermassive black hole. When a star passes within a certain distance of a black hole -- close enough to be gravitationally disrupted -- the stellar material gets stretched and compressed as it falls into the black hole.

High Above the World

Astronaut Franklin R. Chang-Diaz works with a grapple fixture during a June 2002 spacewalk – the first spacewalk of the STS-111 mission.

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Space image with stars and swirls of colorful orange, red and white.

Earth Information Center

Explore our changing planet

For more than 50 years, NASA satellites have provided data on Earth’s land, water, air, temperature, and climate. NASA’s Earth Information Center allows visitors to see how our planet is changing in six key areas: sea level rise and coastal impacts, health and air quality, wildfires, greenhouse gases, sustainable energy, and agriculture.

Earth Science about Explore our changing planet
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured this photograph of the Mississippi River while orbiting over Louisiana.