The fusion of the most massive black holes ever detected

Two huge black holes. Nevertheless. Consequently, in more than 100 solar masses each revolve around the other in an increasingly fast and tighter waltz, until you end up merging to give birth to a gigantic black hole of more than 200 solar masses. Nevertheless, This collision gives off so much energy that it twists space-time itself. However, This deformation is spread through the universe in the form of gravitational waves. Furthermore, which end up reaching the earth, where the giant interferometers Virgo, Ligo and Kagra detect them. In addition, It is the fusion of the most massive black holes ever observed. For example, Appointed GW231123, the event took place at a distance of 2 to 3 billion light years. Meanwhile, These observations were presented at the International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation on Sunday, fusion most massive black holes new July 13.

Since the first detection of gravitational waves dates from fusion most massive black holes 2015 – a feat rewarded by. the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017 -. around 300 mergers of black holes have been detected through this. The previous record dates back to 2021, with a final black hole of 142 solar masses. According to astrophysicist Mark Hannam. of the University of Cardiff. and a member of the Ligo collaboration, the black holes at the origin of this new event, the mass of which is estimated at 140 and 100 solar masses, are probably themselves from the merger of other black holes.

The detection of these events. is based on extremely sensitive technology. When a gravitational wave crosses an interferometer like Ligo. it very slightly modifies the length of its arms – 4 fusion most massive black holes new kilometers long – a distance equivalent to a. fraction of the size of a proton. fusion most massive black holes To identify these tiny variations. a laser beam is divided and sent into both arms perpendicular to the device. After several round trips in each arm, the two beams are recombinated.

If a gravitational wave passes, each beam travels a different distance, which generates interference in the recombinated signal. The latter is then compared to the data of the various instruments spread over the globe (Virgo. Ligo and Kagra) to confirm that it follows well from the fusion of two very massive objects – black holes.

The signal of the GW231123 event is distinguished by the extreme speed reached by the two black holes just before the fusion. close to the theoretical limit. Astrophysicists hope that fusion most massive black holes new the analysis of this event will allow them to refine their merger models of these massive stars.