Scientists have announced a groundbreaking discovery regarding the speed limit for clashes between black holes. New data reveals that the maximum possible return speed when black holes collide is an astonishing 102 million km/h, which is equivalent to one-tenth of the speed of light. The findings, published in Physical Review Letters, indicate that this speed is achieved when the conditions of the clash are at the threshold between the merger of two black holes or their scattering as they approach each other.
In the next phase of their research, scientists aim to mathematically prove that this speed cannot be surpassed using Einstein’s equations from the general theory of relativity. If successful, this conclusion could have profound implications for the fundamental laws of physics.
Carlos Liste, a co-author of the study from the Rochester Institute, stated, “We are just beginning to explore something that could potentially become a more comprehensive explanation.” The newly discovered high-speed limit may be part of a broader set of physical laws that govern everything “from the smallest to the largest objects in the universe.”
To determine the maximum possible speed of black hole return, Liste and co-author James Hili utilized supercomputers for numerical modeling. These calculations relied on the equations of the general theory of relativity, which describe the evolution of interacting black holes.
By conducting 1.381 simulations, scientists identified a peak in potential speed for black holes with opposite rotations passing by each other. The opposing rotations distort gravitational radiation, generating a traction force that adds to the return speed.
“The return of black holes after their merger is a crucial moment in their interaction,” explained Imre Bartos from the University of Florida. This interaction holds particular importance in regions of the universe with a high density of black holes, as significant recoils can propel the remaining black holes away from the area.