In a breakthrough, scientists measured the speed and direction of a black hole’s natal kick. This powerful push happens after unequal black holes collide. The finding, based on 2019’s GW190412 signal, helps explain black hole growth and movement in the universe.

BulletsIn

• First direct measurement of natal kick in space
• Collision detected in 2019 via GW190412 signal
• Two black holes merged: 29.7 and 8.4 solar masses
• Unequal size caused recoil like football kick
• New black hole sped at 179,600 km/h through space
• Likely escaped its original star cluster
• Kick caused by uneven gravitational wave energy
• Detected using LIGO (US) and Virgo (Italy)
• Helps explain limits on black hole growth
• Key for understanding supermassive black holes in galaxies