Âé¶¹ÒùÔº


Sharper gravitational-wave analysis promises clearer insights into black hole collisions

New breakthrough could sharpen our view of colliding black holes
Two-dimensional posterior probabilities obtained in our analysis of the SXS:BBH:0926 numerical relativity simulation. Credit: Nature Astronomy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02579-7

A new method to analyze gravitational-wave data could transform how we study some of the universe's most extreme events—black holes smashing into each other.

Researchers from the University of Portsmouth, University of Southampton and University College Dublin have created a method to more accurately analyze gravitational waves, which are ripples in spacetime generated when massive objects like collide.

The approach, in Nature Astronomy, doesn't offer new discoveries about black holes yet. But by improving how scientists compare gravitational wave data to existing models, it lays important groundwork for future breakthroughs.

Ever since the Nobel-prize-winning detection of gravitational waves in 2015, the study of these ripples has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, driven largely by the detection of colliding black holes which are almost impossible to observe with standard optical telescopes.

Dr. Charlie Hoy, a research fellow at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, and lead author of this work, explained, "When a gravitational wave passes through Earth, we capture a brief signal. To figure out what caused it, we compare the observation against millions of possible theoretical signals generated with different models. The challenge is that not all models are equally accurate"

Typically, scientists use a technique known as Bayesian inference to analyze gravitational-wave signals. This technique is often performed multiple times with different models, and the results combined in different ways. The issue with combining results with existing methods is that it can overlook how faithful each model is to Einstein's theory of —and risks misleading conclusions.

"I've been thinking about how to incorporate model accuracy into gravitational-wave Bayesian inference for years, and it's very exciting to see our method come to life," added Dr. Hoy.

"Directly computing by solving Einstein's Field Equations is really hard. Many gravitational-wave models have been developed over the years, but they all have some degree of approximation. With our approach we are able to incorporate this uncertainty into gravitational-wave data analysis methods, and obtain tighter constraints on the fundamental properties of black holes as a consequence.

"Gravitational-wave models are continually being developed and will likely improve in accuracy over the coming years. Our method is designed so that once these models become available, they can be incorporated into our algorithm. All models can then collectively help to obtain together constraints on the mass and spin of black holes."

More information: Charlie Hoy et al, Incorporation of model accuracy in gravitational wave Bayesian inference, Nature Astronomy (2025).

Journal information: Nature Astronomy

Citation: Sharper gravitational-wave analysis promises clearer insights into black hole collisions (2025, July 15) retrieved 15 July 2025 from /news/2025-07-sharper-gravitational-analysis-clearer-insights.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detect most massive black hole merger to date

1 shares

Feedback to editors