Black holes chew up wayward stars like a 'messy toddler'

Black holes chew up wayward stars like a 'messy toddler' - taking a few bites before flinging leftovers across the galaxy. The protracted and violent meals have been captured in remarkable detail - using computer simulations. They happen where gravity is so strong even light can't escape - making them invisible. Lead author Fulya Kıroglu, a PhD student at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, said: "We obviously cannot observe black holes directly because they don't emit light. "So, instead, we have to look at the interactions between black holes and their environments. We found that stars undergo multiple passages before being ejected. "After each passage, they lose more mass, causing a flair of light as it's ripped apart. Each flare is brighter than the last, creating a signature that might help astronomers find them." Finding black holes is important. They may be the source of a mysterious force dubbed dark energy. Watch more from Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: https://www.youtube.com/c/theindependent/videos Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB