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Record Black Hole Merger Discovered 17 Billion Light Years Away

9/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. scientists detected the largest known black hole merger, involving two black holes of 100 and 140 solar masses, creating a new black hole over 265 solar masses.
The merger, observed on November 23, 2023, occurred 17 billion light years away via LIGO detectors.
This finding indicates that black holes can merge multiple times, challenging existing formation theories.
Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, may awaken after a galactic collision in 2 billion years, posing no threat to Earth.
LIGO's advanced AI technology aims to improve detection of larger black holes and reduce measurement noise.

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Story summary

U.S. scientists detected the largest known black hole merger, involving two black holes of 100 and 140 solar masses, creating a new black hole over 265 solar masses.
The merger, observed on November 23, 2023, occurred 17 billion light years away via LIGO detectors.
This finding indicates that black holes can merge multiple times, challenging existing formation theories.
Sagittarius A*, the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, may awaken after a galactic collision in 2 billion years, posing no threat to Earth.
LIGO's advanced AI technology aims to improve detection of larger black holes and reduce measurement noise.