Astronomers have discovered what could be the closest pair of supermassive black holes ever observed. These cosmic behemoths are located in the galaxy NGC 7727, about 89 million light-years from Earth.
What makes this discovery so significant?
- Proximity: The two black holes are separated by a mere 1,600 light-years, a cosmic blink of an eye. This is far closer than any previously known pair of supermassive black holes.
- Merger Potential: Such a close proximity suggests that these black holes are on a collision course, eventually merging into one massive supermassive black hole.
Why is this important?
Studying these black holes can help scientists better understand:
- Galaxy Mergers: Galaxies often collide and merge, and the black holes at their centers can provide clues about these events.
- Black Hole Evolution: Observing these black holes in close proximity can help us learn more about how supermassive black holes grow and evolve.
- Gravitational Waves: As these black holes orbit closer together, they produce gravitational waves, which can be detected by sensitive instruments like LIGO and Virgo.