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Scientists Detect Gravitational Waves From Newly Born Black Hole, Provides Further Proof Of Einstein’s Relativity Theory

Swarajya Staff

Sep 13, 2019, 05:01 PM | Updated 05:01 PM IST


Artist’s illustration of the most-distant supermassive black hole ever discovered. (Robin Dienel/Carnegie Institution for Science)
Artist’s illustration of the most-distant supermassive black hole ever discovered. (Robin Dienel/Carnegie Institution for Science)

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have used the ringing pattern of gravitational waves from a newly-born black hole to calculate its spin and mass thorough Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, PTI reports.

In what provides further evidence to the theory, the calculations have matched earlier measurements of the black hole’s characteristics.

“We all expect general relativity to be correct, but this is the first time we have confirmed it in this way,” said the lead author of the study published in the Physical Review Letters journal.

The study also raises the possibility of black holes exhibiting only three observable properties, namely, mass, spin and electric charge. The study says has noted that all other properties of the black hole may have been ‘swallowed’ by the black hole and are hence unobservable.

The team had earlier discovered that they could isolate a ringing pattern exclusive to a newly formed black hole by utilising the knowledge of overtones.


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