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Two collisions between a neutron star and a black hole have been detected by scientists in the period of 10 days.

Astronomers have predicted that such strikes would happen, but did not know how often.

The results have triggered speculation that theories about how stars and galaxies form may need to be rewritten, the BBC reports.

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Vivien Raymond, from Cardiff University in the UK, said that the shock results were ''fantastic''.

"We have to go back to the drawing board and rewrite our theories," Professor Raymond said.

"We have learned a bit of a lesson again. When we assume something we tend to be proved wrong after a while. So we have to keep our minds open and see what the universe is telling us."

Black holes are astronomical objects that have such strong gravity, not even light can escape. Neutron stars are dead stars that are incredibly dense. A teaspoonful of material from a neutron star is estimated to weigh around four billion tonnes.

But black holes have tremendously more power.

In the first collision, detected on January 5, 2020, a black hole six-and-a-half times the mass of the Sun crashed into a neutron star that was 1.5 times more massive than Earth's parent star.

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Then in the second astronomical smash-up, picked up only 10 days later, a black hole of 10 solar masses merged with a neutron star of two solar masses.

Scientists detected the two collisions by monitoring gravitational waves – or giant ripples in space – formed when two objects strike each other.

Both events are significant because up to now theories say neutron stars tend to be found with – and collide into – other neutron stars. And the same should be true of black holes.

But the two neutron star-black hole collisions study, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, may challenge this.

Instead, it may give credibility to alternative theories, which hold that black holes and neutron stars are found alongside each other.

These concepts imply that stars and galaxies formed in different ways and challenge conventional opinions about of the cosmos was born.

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Sheila Rowan, of Glasgow University in the UK, said new observations were revealing more complex structures inside the galaxy.

"All this is giving us a rich picture of stellar evolution. This latest observation is another first for us in our understanding of what is out there in the universe and how it came to be the way it is," Professor Rowan said.

Alice Springs has been ordered into lockdown from 1pm (local time) today despite no new cases being recorded in the Northern Territory. 

The Central Australian town will go into lockdown for 72 hours, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said. 

Mr Gunner said the decision to lock down Alice Springs was prompted by a man from the Tanami mine site who spent time at Alice Springs Airport on June 25.

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The man arrived at the airport via a charter flight on the Friday morning and remained at the airport between 9am and 3.50pm.

He was tested for COVID-19 on June 26 after returning to Adelaide.

The result was not positive, but the man has since developed symptoms while in isolation and four of his household contacts have now contracted COVID-19.

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"For this reason, we believe he is positive for COVID-19 and we believe that he is highly infectious," Mr Gunner said.

"It is unlikely that he was highly infectious during his time at Alice Springs airport. But, like all our other decisions we will not take a punt on this."

Northern Territory Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie has confirmed it is the Delta variant of COVID-19 is loose in the NT.

"The genomic testing of these cases have been validated to be the Delta strain," he said.  

"Highly infectious, infectious early on, sometimes maybe a shorter illness, but very infectious. 

"Hence, the mask wearing. And there's going to be masks available in a number of outlets in Alice Springs." 

Dr Heggie said authorities would work with multicultural groups and local Indigenous communities to ensure there would be an adequate supply of protective equipment. 

Rules for Alice Springs lockdown

The new Northern Territory lockdown applies to everyone inside the Alice Springs town council boundaries, including town camps, Mr Gunner said.

Communities around Alice Springs that rely on the town for groceries and medicine are also included in the lockdown order, so they can travel in for essentials. 

"But if you usually live outside of Alice Springs, like in a community but you are visiting in Alice right now, stay in Alice. Stay there, do not go home right now," Mr Gunner said.  

"If it is critical, we will be able to help you go back to your home community."  

Everyone in lockdown areas must stay at home and is only permitted to leave for five essential reasons.  

People can leave home for medical treatment, including COVID-19 testing and vaccination; to get essential goods and services; for essential work; for one hour of exercise a day with one other person, or other members of your household, but no further than 5km from home; and to provide essential care and support.  

People in the lockdown area will also need to wear masks outside the home. 

Alice Springs Airport visitors told 'stay where you are'

Mr Gunner has urged people who were at Alice Springs Airport last Friday to not rush out and get tested – yet. 

"If you were at the airport between 9am and 4pm on Friday, June 25, stay where you are," he said. 

Health authorities are currently tracing the man's movements through the airport to determine close and casual contact areas. 

"We believe that people who spent time at the departure side of the airport on Friday between 9am and 4pm, the café side, are considered as close contacts," Mr Gunner said.  

"Being a close contact would mean you're under a stay-at-home order for 14 days, as are your household contacts.  

"On the other side of the airport where you enter, that is currently considered a casual contact site.  

"That means anyone on that side of the building needs to isolated and get tested and stay isolated until you get a negative result.  

"The car park and drop off area are a low-risk site, meaning you only need to isolate and test if you develop symptoms." 

However, he said further clarifications would be forthcoming in coming hours. 

Don't panic buy

Mr Gunner has reassured Alice Springs residents against panic buying after ordering a snap 72-hour lockdown. 

"Remember, supermarkets stay open. Our essential stores stay open, cafes and restaurants are open for takeaway," he said. 

"We have no food supply issues in the Territory. 

"The communities outside Alice who rely on Alice for their supply, you will not be impacted. We will work that through with you." 

Darwin still set for lockdown exit on Friday

Chief Minister Gunner has indicated Darwin will likely come out of lockdown on 1pm this Friday, but that could yet change.

"The way I'd phrase it is, we still want to see some (testing) results back," he said. 

"Having no new exposure sites puts us on a very good footing for 1pm Friday." 

He said the Alice Springs lockdown situation was the government's current priority.

You can find out more details about how to book your vaccine through the Federal Government health site here.

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Almost half of all Australians are in lockdown as the country battles a wave of the coronavirus affecting almost all corners for the first time during the pandemic.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is proving to be so contagious that leaders are shutting down large portions of their states after only a few cases each, with more than 11 million people nationally now in the grips of the strictest virus restrictions.

The latest is Queensland where contact tracers face the daunting task of finding any new cases linked to a 19-year-old woman who was infectious with the Delta variant during a busy 10 days across the state.

READ MORE: State-by-state travel restrictions

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Those tracers have a three-day window, the length of a lockdown issued by an "absolutely furious" Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for South East Queensland, Townsville city, Palm Island and Magnetic Island.

"Finish your day, wherever you are … and go home," Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said on Tuesday as the state was told it faced a worrying outbreak of the virus.

"The risk is real and we need to act quickly," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"We need to go hard and we need to go fast."

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About 13 million in lockdown

The current crisis began in NSW, where roughly 5.5 million people in Greater Sydney are in lockdown for two weeks as the Bondi cluster nears 150 cases.

The Northern Territory ordered its first lockdown of the pandemic at the weekend, putting about 200,000 people in Darwin under tough restrictions after an outbreak linked to a gold mine.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan maintained his unapologetic expeditiousness in putting an estimated 2 million people in Perth and Peel in a four-day lockdown on Monday night after only a third new case.

Queensland's lockdown is so wide ranging that it captures about 5 million people, taking the national total in excess of at least 11 million who are being forced to stay home.

Queensland's third and latest case, the 19-year-old woman, is an unvaccinated receptionist at a COVID ward at Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside, in Brisbane's north, who was found to be infectious for 10 days whilst in the community.

During those 10 days she took flights with her family in and out of Brisbane and Townsville and visited Magnetic Island.

Two of the woman's family members are showing signs of sickness and are awaiting test results, raising fears over how far they may have spread the virus.

"Let me say, I am absolutely furious about this," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"We need to make sure that we are getting our population vaccinated, right across the state."

Ms Palaszczuk confirmed a full investigation would be launched into the reason why she was not vaccinated.

The premier confirmed hospital staff who worked inside the ward had to be vaccinated, but it was unclear if the guidelines included the woman and her role.

"For some reason she wasn't vaccinated, there will be a full investigation into that."