Scientists observe massive black hole collision, ten billion light-years away
(MENAFN) Researchers have recorded the most powerful black hole merger ever detected, marking a major milestone in the study of the universe’s most extreme phenomena. The event, which occurred over 10 billion light-years from Earth, involved two colossal black holes that combined to form an even more massive one, scientists revealed on Monday.
According to data from the US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), each of the original black holes had masses exceeding 100 times that of the sun. After spiraling toward each other, they merged into a new black hole estimated to weigh about 265 solar masses.
“These are the most violent events we can observe in the universe, but when the signals reach Earth, they are the weakest phenomena we can measure,” said Professor Mark Hannam. “By the time these ripples wash up on Earth they are tiny,” he added, referring to theories suggesting the black holes involved may themselves have been products of previous mergers.
Black holes typically form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity after burning through their nuclear fuel. This process creates regions of space with such strong gravitational pull that nothing can escape—not even light.
This latest discovery has posed challenges to existing theories about the formation of such large black holes. Earth-based detectors picked up incredibly faint space-time distortions—gravitational waves—smaller than the width of a proton. The newly created black hole is also spinning at nearly the maximum speed allowed by physics, rotating about 400,000 times faster than Earth.
These gravitational waves were detected on November 23, 2023, when LIGO facilities in Washington and Louisiana simultaneously recorded a minuscule signal lasting just one-tenth of a second. This brief moment captured what is known as the “ringdown phase,” the period during which the new black hole stabilizes.
“These are the highest masses of black holes we’ve confidently measured with gravitational waves,” said Hannam, a member of the LIGO scientific team.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
