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black holes

Stephen Hawking’s Black Hole Area Theorem Confirmed by Gravitational Waves

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor September 21, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

## ⁤landmark LIGO Observation Confirms ‍Hawking’s Black hole Area Theorem with Unprecedented Precision

Recent observations by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) have provided the strongest confirmation⁤ yet of a fundamental theorem‍ proposed by the late Stephen hawking: the black⁢ hole‍ area theorem. This ‍theorem states that the total area of a black hole’s event horizon ‌can never decrease over time, even when black holes merge.

The ⁤confirmation stems from the analysis of gravitational waves emitted during the merger of two black holes, designated GW250114 – a signal detected on January 14, 2025. While similar to LIGO’s first detection in 2015 (GW150914),⁣ involving black holes approximately 1.3 billion light-years⁢ away with masses 30 to⁤ 40 times that of our sun, the GW250114 signal ⁣was significantly ‌clearer due to‌ a decade‌ of advancements in detector technology. These improvements have made the LVK detectors – LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA – the most precise measurement tools ever created, capable of detecting distortions in spacetime‍ smaller than 1/10,000⁢ the width of a proton. (Virgo and KAGRA were offline during this specific observation.)

By meticulously analyzing the frequencies of the gravitational waves,the LIGO team was able to provide the best observational evidence to date supporting Hawking’s theorem. The team focused on the “ringdown” phase of the merger -⁤ the period after the black‌ holes coalesce when the newly formed black hole vibrates, analogous to a struck bell.

Researchers⁢ were able, for the first time, to confidently identify two distinct‍ gravitational-wave modes within this ringdown phase. These modes, similar ⁢to the⁤ different tones a bell produces, decay at different rates ‌and are⁤ notoriously arduous to distinguish.Extracting ‍these modes allowed the team to precisely‍ calculate the ⁢mass and spin of the resulting black hole,and subsequently,its surface area.

This new‌ analysis achieved a ‍confidence level of 99.999%, a substantial improvement⁢ over a previous test performed in 2021 using the GW150914‍ data, which⁣ yielded a confidence level of 95%.The confirmation is particularly poignant⁣ given hawking’s long-held belief‍ in ‌the testability of his ‌theorem using gravitational wave detectors. Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne recounts Hawking inquiring about LIGO’s potential to verify the theorem shortly after the initial gravitational wave detection in ‌2015. Sadly, Hawking passed away in 2018 and did not live to witness⁢ the observational ‌confirmation of his work. Thorne noted that Hawking “would have reveled ⁢in seeing the area of the‌ merged black holes increase.”

The research, published in *Physical Review Letters* (https://doi.org/10.1103/kw5g-d732), represents a significant milestone in our understanding of black⁢ holes and the fundamental laws governing the universe.

September 21, 2025 0 comments

Technology

Title: Rapidly Growing Black Hole Challenges Universe’s Formation

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor September 18, 2025

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

NASA’s Chandra Observatory Detects One of the fastest-Growing Black Holes ever Observed

Cambridge,Mass. – NASA’s chandra X-ray Observatory has identified a quasar hosting ⁢a ‍black hole with an exceptionally ⁢high rate of growth, offering new⁢ insights into‍ the evolution of black holes and their impact on galactic ⁤environments.‌ The quasar,designated RACS J0320-35,is located 12.8 billion light-years from Earth and is consuming matter at a rate equivalent too the mass of the Sun every⁤ two⁢ days.

This discovery addresses ‍a⁢ scientific mystery surrounding the origin of powerful jets of particles emanating from some black ⁤holes, as observed in RACS J0320-35.⁢ The presence of ‍such jets is unusual for quasars, suggesting a link between rapid black hole growth and jet⁢ formation.

The quasar was initially identified through a radio telescope survey using the Australian ⁤Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder, complemented by optical data from the Dark Energy⁢ Camera on the Victor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at the Cerro⁣ tololo Inter-American Observatory in‌ chile. Subsequent observations⁣ with the Gemini-South⁢ Telescope ⁢on Cerro Pachon, Chile, precisely steadfast the quasar’s distance.

Details⁢ of ‌the findings are published in a paper accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal ⁤and are currently available at https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/aded0a.

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center ‍manages the⁣ Chandra program, with⁤ science and flight operations conducted by the⁤ Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center‌ in Cambridge and Burlington, Massachusetts, respectively.

Further details about the Chandra X-ray Observatory and its mission can be found at https://www.nasa.gov/chandra and https://chandra.si.edu.

The discovery is accompanied by an ⁢artist’s illustration ⁤depicting ⁣the quasar as a spiraling disk of orange, red, and‍ yellow, ‍with a central⁤ black hole represented as a black egg shape surrounded by brilliant yellow light. An inset X-ray image from Chandra shows the black hole as a‍ white dot with a purple ring. The illustration also highlights ‌a jet of particles ‌blasting away from the black hole.

Contact:

Megan Watzke
Chandra X-ray Center
617-496-7998
mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu

Corinne⁤ Beckinger
Marshall ⁢Space Flight Center,‌ Huntsville, Alabama
256-544-0034
corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov

September 18, 2025 0 comments

Health

Team identifies the universe’s earliest confirmed black hole

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor August 10, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Ancient galaxy Reveals Surprisingly Massive Black Hole, Challenging Early Universe Theories

AUSTIN, TX – August 6, 2024 – Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a supermassive black hole within CAPERS-LRD-z9, a newly discovered galaxy dating back to the first 1.5 billion years of the universe. The black hole, estimated to be up to 300 million times the mass of our sun, is unusually large for its age and is prompting scientists to re-evaluate models of black hole and galaxy formation in the early cosmos. The discovery,made possible by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST),was announced today by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.

This finding marks a important step forward in understanding the “Little Red Dots” – a class of compact, red, and unexpectedly shining galaxies first identified through early JWST data. These galaxies, unlike anything previously observed with the Hubble Space Telescope, represent a puzzle for astronomers seeking to understand the universe’s formative years.

The team, led by researchers from the CAPERS (Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Survey) program, initially identified CAPERS-LRD-z9 as an intriguing point of light. Subsequent spectroscopic analysis with JWST confirmed its extreme distance and revealed key characteristics. “JWST spectroscopy is the key to confirming their distances and understanding their physical properties,” explains Mark Dickinson,a co-author on the study and CAPERS team lead.

The brightness of Little Red Dots initially suggested a high rate of star formation. However, the early age of these galaxies makes such a large stellar population improbable. The new data from CAPERS-LRD-z9 strongly supports the theory that supermassive black holes are the primary source of this luminosity. Black holes generate intense light and energy by compressing and heating matter as it falls into them.

Moreover, the galaxy’s distinct red color might potentially be caused by a dense cloud of gas surrounding the black hole, shifting the light towards longer, redder wavelengths. Researchers have observed similar gas clouds in other galaxies, and the characteristics of the cloud in CAPERS-LRD-z9 align with those previous observations.

What makes CAPERS-LRD-z9 especially noteworthy is the sheer size of its black hole – roughly half the mass of all the stars within the galaxy. This is exceptionally large, even for supermassive black holes. The early presence of such a massive black hole challenges existing theories about how these objects grow.

“This adds to growing evidence that early black holes grew much faster than we thought possible,” says Steve Finkelstein, a researcher involved in the study. “Or they started out far more massive than our models predict.”

Black holes in the later universe have had billions of years to accumulate mass through mergers and accretion. A black hole existing in the early universe,however,would have had limited time to grow,suggesting either a faster growth rate or a larger initial mass than previously assumed.The team plans to continue studying CAPERS-LRD-z9 with further, higher-resolution observations from JWST. These observations will aim to provide a more detailed understanding of the galaxy and the role black holes played in the growth of the earliest galaxies. Data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at Kitt Peak National Observatory also contributed to the research.

“This is a good test object for us,” says researcher Taylor. “We haven’t been able to study early black hole evolution until recently,and we are excited to see what we can learn from this unique object.”

Source: UT Austin

August 10, 2025 0 comments

Technology

Astronomers detect the largest collision of black holes to date

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor July 16, 2025

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Here’s a unique version of teh provided text, preserving all verifiable facts:

The recent detection of a gravitational wave event, designated GW231123, has revealed the merger of two exceptionally massive black holes, a phenomenon that considerably advances our comprehension of these cosmic entities.

this latest observation surpasses the previous record holder, GW190521, by a substantial margin, with GW231123 being approximately 60% more massive. However, scientists anticipate the possibility of discovering even more massive black hole mergers in the future. Enhanced precision from next-generation instruments, such as the proposed cosmic Explorer in the United States and the Einstein Telescope in Europe, both slated for progress within the next two decades, could facilitate the observation of such colossal collisions.

According to Imre Bartos, an associate professor at the University of Florida who was not involved in the research, this new finding offers a novel perspective on the formation and growth of black holes. he also highlighted the rapid evolution of gravitational wave astronomy, noting that in less than a decade, the field has progressed from it’s initial detection to challenging established theoretical frameworks.

While previous mergers could potentially account for both the high mass and rapid rotation observed in these black holes, alternative explanations include repeated collisions within young star clusters or the direct collapse of an unusually massive star.Nevertheless, Bartos suggested that these alternative scenarios are less likely to produce black holes exhibiting such pronounced rapid rotation.

Zoltan Haiman, a professor at the Institute of Science and Technology in Austria and also unaffiliated with the discovery, commented that the black holes in GW231123 can be naturally explained as the result of one or more prior merger generations. He noted that this hypothesis was initially proposed following the first gravitational wave detection of a black hole merger, and the characteristics of GW231123 make it notably difficult to attribute to other causes.Haiman concluded that future detections will clarify whether this critically important merger represents a singular event or is indicative of a broader pattern within the universe.

July 16, 2025 0 comments

Business

A team of international scientists has discovered the greatest merger of two black holes ever. The discovery is enthusiastically received by fellow scientists from all over the world. The perception of the fusion was done on the basis of gravitational wa

by Priya Shah – Business Editor July 14, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Here’s a 100% unique version of the article,preserving all verifiable facts:

Record-Breaking black Hole Merger detected

The astronomical community has now witnessed approximately 300 instances of black hole mergers,according to Selma de Mink,director at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics. this particular observation is noteworthy as it involves the most massive black holes detected to date.

De Mink explained that the immense mass and rapid rotation of these black holes caused notable distortions in spacetime, a phenomenon consistent wiht Einstein’s general theory of relativity. These spacetime distortions, or ripples, eventually propagated to Earth and were successfully recorded by highly sensitive detection equipment.

A Celestial Colossus: 225 Solar Masses

The resulting black hole from this merger possesses a mass exceeding 225 times that of our Sun. The event occurred approximately 10 billion light-years away from Earth. For context, one light-year is equivalent to roughly 9.5 trillion kilometers.

Scientists believe that the two progenitor black holes were themselves the product of prior mergers, which contributed to their exceptional mass.

Understanding Black Holes

A black hole is an astronomical object characterized by gravity so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape its pull. Typically, black holes form when a massive star reaches the end of its life and undergoes a supernova explosion. Following such an explosion, a dense, compact remnant can remain, forming a black hole. Once formed, a black hole can grow by accreting matter from its surroundings, meaning it is indeed not a literal void.

Due to the inability of light or any other data to escape a black hole, its internal composition remains unknown. Though, its gravitational influence on its environment can be observed, as an example, through anomalies in the trajectories of nearby stars.

Detecting Cosmic Whispers

Scientists are able to detect signals from black hole mergers through gravitational wave detectors situated on Earth. One researcher noted that despite being one of the most powerful events in the universe, the signals received on Earth are extremely faint, pushing the limits of our detection capabilities.

The measurements were captured on November 23, 2023, by two distinct detectors located in the United States. These detectors registered a minute deviation in their readings for a tenth of a second, marking the precise moment of the violent merger of the two black holes before they settled into a single, unified black hole.

These recent findings are expected to facilitate further scientific inquiry into the formation mechanisms of black holes and the processes that bring them into proximity. This research can contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution and origins of the universe.

July 14, 2025 0 comments

Technology

What’s at the center of a black hole? Scientists have a sobering answer

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor July 12, 2025

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

Black Holes: Cosmic Mysteries Unfold

Black holes, once relegated to science fiction, are now at the forefront of scientific inquiry, potentially holding keys to understanding the very fabric of the universe. For decades, scientists have investigated these enigmas. Now, fresh insights are emerging.

Unveiling Black Hole Formation

According to **Priyamvada Natarajan**, a theoretical astrophysicist at Yale University, a black hole’s immense density warps spacetime. “A black hole is so concentrated that it causes a little deep puncture in space/time… Nothing that we know of exists at that point.”

Traditionally, stellar mass black holes were believed to arise from supernovas, the explosive deaths of massive stars. As a star exhausts its fuel, its core collapses under gravity, forming a black hole. However, recent discoveries have revealed supermassive black holes at the heart of nearly every galaxy, challenging this conventional wisdom.

Supermassive Black Holes: A New Theory Confirmed

These behemoths, millions or billions of times the mass of our Sun, pose a puzzle: How did they grow so large so quickly? **Natarajan** proposed in 2017 that, rather than growing from smaller black holes, these supermassive entities may have formed directly from collapsing gas clouds in the early universe.

Adding weight to this theory, “In 2023 the James Webb telescope found these objects,” **Natarajan** stated. “This is what a scientist lives for, to make a prediction and see it proven.”

This composite image shows galaxy clusters Perseus and Centaurus, each with a central black hole surrounded by gas.

Demystifying Black Holes: Not Cosmic Vacuum Cleaners

Despite their reputation, black holes aren’t cosmic vacuum cleaners. As **Lloyd Knox**, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of California, Davis, explains, “It’s not like a whirlpool dragging everything into it.” They exert gravitational pull like any massive object.

According to **Brenna Mockler**, a post-doctoral fellow at the Carnegie Observatories, “If you’re far enough away, you’d just feel the gravitational force, just the way you’d feel it from a planet.” Black holes only consume matter that ventures too close.

What’s at the center of a black hole? Scientists have a sobering answer — The binary star D9 orbits Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy.

The Perils of Falling In

If one were to fall into a black hole, **Natarajan** explains, the experience would be less than pleasant. The immense gravitational gradient would lead to “spaghettification,” stretching the body until it resembles a strand of spaghetti.

**Natarajan** notes that the final destination remains “an open question… We don’t know.”

Our Sun’s Fate

Rest assured, our Sun will not become a black hole. As **Knox** points out, it lacks the necessary mass. Instead, in about five billion years, it will expand, engulf the Earth, and end as a white dwarf.

Unsolved Mysteries: The Little Red Dots

Since beginning its scientific mission in 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope has detected “little red dots“—enigmatic, small, red objects abundant in the cosmos. Their nature remains a mystery.

According to **Mockler**, who is an incoming professor at the University of California, Davis, these could be dense, star-forming galaxies, or supermassive black holes accreting matter in the early universe. Further research is needed. As of July 2025, The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing the ambitious Ariel mission, scheduled for launch in 2029, to study the atmospheres of around 1,000 exoplanets. (ESA). Data from this mission will help refine models of planet formation around distant stars and thus a better understanding of how black holes form.

July 12, 2025 0 comments

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