Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Satellite Observatory, along with the work of an amateur astronomer, scientists have found evidence of what might be the youngest black hole in the Earth's cosmic neighborhood.

Researchers had been observing the supernova, SN-1979C, for three decades, before announcing their findings on Monday. Evidence of its existence was first uncovered by an amateur astronomer in a rural area outside Washington 31 years ago.

Analysis of its X-rays support the idea that the object is a black hole, which is either being fed by material falling back from an initial supernova, or perhaps from a twin star.

The black hole can help scientists better understand how stars explode, as well as the prevalence of the phenomenon in our galaxy and others.