Simulations hint at a hidden population of companionless black holes
New simulations from the Flatiron Institute suggest that over 90% of stellar-mass black holes in the Milky Way exist in isolation rather than in binary systems. Because these lone black holes do not emit light or interact with companion stars, they remain largely invisible to current detection methods.
Why it matters
This research challenges current astronomical models and suggests a vast, hidden population of black holes that could reshape our understanding of galactic evolution.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Simulations suggest that over 90% of stellar-mass black holes in the Milky Way exist without a companion, making them far more difficult for astronomers to detect. Credit: Tom Wagg et al. So far, almost all stellar-mass black holes detected by astronomers have been found in binary systems. However, astronomers have long suspected that these binary black holes are the exception and that, within the Milky Way, most exist on their own.
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