Binary black hole systems often pair a black hole with either a star, neutron star, or another black hole, orbiting each other due to gravitational attraction.

• However, V404 Cygni system, initially believed to be a binary black hole system, was discovered to be a triple system.

About V404 Cygni system

• It holds a central black hole in the act of consuming a small star that’s spiralling in very close to the black hole (every 6.5 days).
• The new discovery found, a 2^nd star orbiting the black hole at a vast distance, completing one orbit every 70,000 years. (making it a triple system).
• The system V404 Cygni is located within the Milky Way and around 8,000 light-years from Earth.

Significance of the New Discovery

• Debunks Supernova explosion: The distant star's presence challenges traditional black hole formation theory, as supernova explosions should have expelled loosely-bound objects from its vicinity.
  • Supernova: Is a massive explosion that occurs when a star runs out of fuel and collapses
• Direct collapse: Scientists suggest this black hole is formed through "direct collapse," where a star quietly implodes, allowing distant objects to maintain their orbital connections.