Access

Published online 30 May 2007 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news070528-4

News

Static holes defy theory

Giant black holes create mystery by not flying out of galaxies.

Theorists predicted it would be one of the most dramatic events in the Universe: two black holes merging in a distant galaxy and then flying out of that galaxy, releasing the energy of tens of millions of Suns.

But a survey of thousands of quasars — distant, active galaxies where large black holes reside — has failed to turn up a single such 'kicked' object.

Comments

Reader comments are usually moderated after posting. If you find something offensive or inappropriate, you can speed this process by clicking 'Report this comment' (or, if that doesn't work for you, email redesign@nature.com). For more controversial topics, we reserve the right to moderate before comments are published.