Neutrinos May Decide Whether a Dying Star Explodes or Becomes a Black Hole

New simulations from the University of Copenhagen suggest that neutrino flavor conversion can change the fate of collapsing massive stars. Across 195 models spanning 9 to 120 solar masses, the effect was strongest for stars of 16–30 solar masses, where some explosions turned into failed supernovae and direct black hole formation.

• 195 stars modeled, ranging from 9 to 120 solar masses
• Strongest effect seen in stars of 16–30 solar masses
• Including flavor conversion flipped some explosions to failures
• Findings may help explain the supernova rate problem