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Astronomers have revealed compelling evidence suggesting that the collision of black holes can result in a forceful “kick,” propelling one of them out of its galaxy.
The investigation, led by physicist Vijay Varma from the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Albert Einstein Institute in Germany, scrutinized data from gravitational-wave detection, particularly the GW200129 event recorded by the LIGO detectors alongside their European counterpart, Virgo. Through meticulous analysis, the researchers found that the resultant black hole from this collision was propelled through space at an astonishing speed of 3 million mph (4.8 million kph) — a revelation described by one team member as “unexpected and astounding.”
“When two black holes merge, they form a more massive black hole. This process can induce a recoil ‘kick’ to the resulting black hole,” explained Varma, the lead author of the study detailing the team’s findings, in an interview with Space.com.
The emission of gravitational waves, akin to gravitational radiation, occurs as black holes orbit each other. These waves carry away energy and angular momentum, causing the orbit to diminish until a collision and merger between the black holes occur.
The investigation, led by physicist Vijay Varma from the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics, Albert Einstein Institute in Germany, scrutinized data from gravitational-wave detection, particularly the GW200129 event recorded by the LIGO detectors alongside their European counterpart, Virgo. Through meticulous analysis, the researchers found that the resultant black hole from this collision was propelled through space at an astonishing speed of 3 million mph (4.8 million kph) — a revelation described by one team member as “unexpected and astounding.”
“When two black holes merge, they form a more massive black hole. This process can induce a recoil ‘kick’ to the resulting black hole,” explained Varma, the lead author of the study detailing the team’s findings, in an interview with Space.com.
The emission of gravitational waves, akin to gravitational radiation, occurs as black holes orbit each other. These waves carry away energy and angular momentum, causing the orbit to diminish until a collision and merger between the black holes occur.
Two black holes merged to form a more massive one moving at 3 million mph
Black hole mergers can result in a powerful "kick," ejecting a black hole from its galaxy at staggering speeds, as demonstrated by recent gravitational-wave data analysis.
digitimed.com
