Star's Puzzling Past Near Black Hole Challenges Stellar Evolution

Astronomers discovered a red giant star, Gaia BH2's companion, spinning unusually fast with contradictory age signals. Its 'starquakes' suggest a past collision or merger, challenging current stellar evolution models.

• A distant red giant star orbits the dormant black hole Gaia BH2.
• The star spins unusually fast, defying current astronomical expectations.
• Its chemical makeup appears ancient, but internal structure is young.
• Evidence from 'starquakes' suggests a past stellar merger or collision.
• Discovery challenges established models of stellar evolution near black holes.
• Findings published in the Astronomical Journal by University of Hawaii astronomers.

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