Black holes clash

Massive clash of black holes raises astronomers’ hopes of witnessing gravitational waves

September 18, 2015

What do the rhythmic flashes of light coming from quasar PG 1302-102 mean? Circling like prizefighters in a ring, a pair of supermassive black holes is heading toward an epic collision. One so powerful it would send a burst of gravitational waves surging through and distorting the very fabric of space-time. Already, the intensity of the encounter is causing mysterious rhythmic flashes of light coming from quasar PG … more…