Scientists detect the ringing of a newborn black hole for the first time

Phys.org ^ | Sept. 11, 2019 | Jennifer Chu, MIT

[Innovative]

If Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity holds true, then a black hole, born from the cosmically quaking collisions of two massive black holes, should itself "ring" in the aftermath, producing gravitational waves much like a struck bell reverbates sound waves. Einstein predicted that the particular pitch and decay of these gravitational waves should be a direct signature of the newly formed black hole's mass and spin.

Now, physicists from MIT and elsewhere have "heard" the ringing of an infant black hole for the first time, and found that the pattern of this ringing does, in fact, predict the black hole's mass and spin—more evidence that Einstein was right all along.

The findings, published today in Physical Review Letters, also favor the idea that black holes lack any sort of "hair"—a metaphor referring to the idea that black holes, according to Einstein's theory, should exhibit just three observable properties: mass, spin, and electric charge. All other characteristics, which the physicist John Wheeler termed "hair," should be swallowed up by the black hole itself, and would therefore be unobservable.

[Innovative]

Interesting.

I didn't know they rang...

[wally_bert]

Only the polite ones.

[C210N]

Gotta now fit it with a pacifier. Could be the next thing, after we fix Climate Change.

[cuban leaf]

Somebody want to get that?

[1Old Pro]

Could be the next thing, after we fix Climate Change.First, how do we fix it? Secondly, isn't the climate supposed to change? Is it supposed to be the same?

[fishtank]

Planned Parenthood knows how to get rid of newborns.....

[Red Badger]

You would thing they would call first....................

[dfwgator]

"One Ringy-Dingy..Two Ringy-Dingy...."

[IYAS9YAS]

Black holes got tinnitus. Who knew?

[thoughtomator]

If the grant money is available to study ringing black holes, then black holes ring. They will dance too for extra funding.

[Disambiguator]

It sounds like this.

[Fido969]

Pete Buttplug wants to abort it.

[C210N]

I believe Climate Change...

but it really Really REALLY must want to change.

[Steely Tom]

Only the polite ones.

"Candygram."

[SuperLuminal]

Excellent news... We can sleep better at night knowing that the murderous abortion craze has not reached the black hole civilizations... Yet...

[mountainlion]

Send the TIDE, it works for ring around the collar.

[TomServo]

Probably a party line, too

[Tucker39]

Black holes with hair around them. TMI!

[Long Jon No Silver]

Black holes with hair. Paging Mayor Buttbutter. Paving Mayor Buttbutter.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*one ringy-dingy ping*