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Colliding black holes may have created a surprising flare of light

Researchers expect only gravitational waves to be spawned in these sorts of smashups

Black hole light collision illustration

Two black holes (illustrated at bottom right) may have set off fireworks when they merged within a disk of gas surrounding a much bigger black hole (top left). Researchers spotted a flare of light in addition to gravitational waves from the collision.

R. Hurt/Caltech (IPAC)

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

In spite of their dark reputations, two black holes may have set off a cosmic light show.