Origins of black holes revealed in their spin, study finds

Gravitational waves data held clues for high-mass black holes’ violent beginnings

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Jan. 7, 2025 ~4 min

The universe’s biggest explosions made some of the elements we are composed of. But there’s another mystery source out there

Analysis of two major cosmic blasts deepens the mystery of where the universe’s ‘heavy’ elements come from.

Robert Brose, Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Sciences at Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin City University • conversation
May 30, 2024 ~6 min


Black holes are mysterious, yet also deceptively simple − a new space mission may help physicists answer hairy questions about these astronomical objects

Studying theoretical, fast-spinning black holes is helping physicists understand more about the elusive black holes out in the universe.

Gaurav Khanna, Professor of Physics, University of Rhode Island • conversation
May 15, 2024 ~7 min

LIGO surpasses the quantum limit

Researchers achieve a landmark in quantum squeezing.

Whitney Clavin • mit
Oct. 23, 2023 ~16 min

A subtle symphony of ripples in spacetime – astronomers use dead stars to measure gravitational waves produced by ancient black holes

Astronomers have for the first time detected the background hum of gravitational waves likely caused by merging black holes.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
June 30, 2023 ~9 min

Gravitational wave detector LIGO is back online after 3 years of upgrades – how the world's most sensitive yardstick reveals secrets of the universe

Upgrades to the hardware and software of the advanced observatory should allow astrophysicists to detect much fainter gravitational waves than before.

Chad Hanna, Professor of Physics, Penn State • conversation
May 22, 2023 ~10 min

Astronomers have found an especially sneaky black hole – discovery sheds light on star death, black hole formation and gravitational waves

Astronomers have discovered the first dormant black hole outside of the Milky Way. These black holes are not absorbing matter from a nearby star, making them incredibly hard to find.

Idan Ginsburg, Academic Faculty in Physics & Astronomy, Georgia State University • conversation
July 25, 2022 ~7 min

Astronomy's 10-year wish list: Big money, bigger telescopes and the biggest questions in science

The astronomy and astrophysics decadal survey for the 2020s lays out plans to search for life on distant planets, understand the formation of galaxies and solve deep mysteries of physics.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
March 28, 2022 ~9 min


Black hole ‘billiards’ may explain mystery mergers

The answer to a complex mystery may involve a chaotic triple drama inside a giant disk of gas around a super massive black hole in a galaxy far, far away.

U. Copenhagen • futurity
March 14, 2022 ~9 min

Astronomers think they've just spotted an 'invisible' black hole for the first time

Some black holes are isolated in space and therefore near impossible to detect.

Andrew Norton, Professor of Astrophysics Education, The Open University • conversation
Feb. 7, 2022 ~7 min

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