Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Black Hole Merger or Wormhole Echo? New Study Sparks Debate

9/23/2025

38 6

Summary

Story summary

In 2019, LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) and Virgo detected GW190521, a signal suggesting a black hole merger.
An alternative theory posits the signal as a wormhole-induced echo from another universe.
The merger explanation remains preferred but not ruled out; Qi Lai urges further wormhole study.
The waveform lacks a typical inspiral, indicating a passing encounter; findings are on arXiv.

1 of 1

Story summary

In 2019, LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) and Virgo detected GW190521, a signal suggesting a black hole merger.
An alternative theory posits the signal as a wormhole-induced echo from another universe.
The merger explanation remains preferred but not ruled out; Qi Lai urges further wormhole study.
The waveform lacks a typical inspiral, indicating a passing encounter; findings are on arXiv.