Summary
Scientists in the United States reported the largest-ever merger of two black holes, detected by gravitational wave observatories. This collision, recorded in November 2023, was shared at an international conference in the United Kingdom.
Key Facts
- Scientists discovered the largest black hole merger using gravitational wave detectors.
- The collision was observed on November 23, 2023, by LIGO detectors in Washington State and Louisiana.
- The merger created gravitational waves detected briefly for 0.1 seconds and named GW231123.
- The merging black holes were about 100 and 140 times the mass of the Sun, producing a new black hole over 265 times the Sun's mass.
- This new black hole is larger than the previous biggest merger, GW190521.
- Black holes are detected through gravitational waves because they absorb light and remain invisible.
- Roughly 300 black holes have been found using gravitational waves.
- The collision will not affect Earth or the Milky Way galaxy.
