Merger of Two Black Holes

A sophisticated computer simulation of two black holes merging and emitting gravitational waves has been developed by physicists at the University of Texas, Brownsville. This picture is a still photo taken from an 8.5-second movie that illustrates their simulation, using the equations of Einstein's General Relativity to determine how the system behaves. Coming soon to a theater near you.

Reported by Campanelli et al. in the 24 March 2006 Physical Review Letters.

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Black hole merger

Image credit: University of Texas, Brownsville