Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 27, 2026

Collapsar

A collapsar is a type of black hole formed inside of a massive star that rotates at a sufficient rate to create a disk around the hole. The model for collapsars was originally developed to explain gamma-ray burst events accompanying supernovas, but the model now includes other forms. Type I collapsars form an initial neutron star but fail to go supernovae, and after a one-second delay, collapse into black holes. Type II collapsars explode, but not enough mass is ejected, and the neutron star falls back into a black hole. Type III collapsars collapse directly into massive black holes.

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Collapsar type based on initial mass and metallicity1: 294  source ↗

A collapsar is a type of black hole formed inside of a massive star that rotates at a sufficient rate to create a disk around the hole.2 The model for collapsars was originally developed to explain gamma-ray burst events accompanying supernovas, but the model now includes other forms. Type I collapsars form an initial neutron star but fail to go supernovae, and after a one-second delay, collapse into black holes. Type II collapsars explode, but not enough mass is ejected, and the neutron star falls back into a black hole. Type III collapsars collapse directly into massive black holes.1

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Heger, A.; Fryer, C. L.; Woosley, S. E.; Langer, N.; Hartmann, D. H. (July 2003). "How Massive Single Stars End Their Life". The Astrophysical Journal. 591 (1): 288–300. arXiv:astro-ph/0212469. doi:10.1086/375341. ISSN 0004-637X.
  2. Woosley, S.E.; Bloom, J.S. (September 1, 2006). "The Supernova–Gamma-Ray Burst Connection". Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics. 44 (1): 507–556. arXiv:astro-ph/0609142. doi:10.1146/annurev.astro.43.072103.150558. ISSN 0066-4146.