Scientists Say Some Black Holes Are Born From Other Black Holes
Researchers analyzing gravitational wave data from LIGO have identified that approximately 14% of black holes are 'second-generation,' formed from the mergers of smaller black holes. This discovery challenges traditional models of stellar collapse.
Why it matters
Advances our understanding of cosmic evolution and the complex life cycles of black holes in the universe.
Since LIGO’s Nobel-winning discovery of gravitational waves—ripples in spacetime—the U.S.-based detector has been picking up on hundreds of signals from black hole mergers. And, after a decade of studying gravitational waves, researchers believe a significant fraction of black holes may come from cosmic chain reactions.
Scientific reporting based on peer-reviewed research findings.
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