Black hole that was closest yet found does not exist, say scientists in U-turn

Researchers have a new view of HR 6819: two stars, one of them a vampire'

Astronomers who thought they had discovered a black hole on our cosmic doorstep have said they were mistaken, instead revealing they have found a two-star system involving a stellar vampire".

The system, known as HR 6819 in the constellation Telescopium, was in the headlines in 2020 when researchers announced it contained a black hole. At just 1,000 light years from Earth, it was the closest yet found to our planet.