Research Team Identifies New Formation Process for Massive Black Holes in Dense Star Clusters
Recent research has uncovered that the largest black holes in the universe may form through the merger of smaller black holes within dense star clusters, rather than from the collapse of massive stars. This study, conducted by a team including Isobel Romero-Shaw and Fabio Antonini from Cardiff University, analyzed gravitational waves detected by observatories such as LIGO, KAGRA, and Virgo. The findings suggest a 'mass gap' where stars above 45 solar masses do not form black holes but instead undergo supernovae. The research indicates that high-mass black holes, which exhibit rapid spins, are likely the result of repeated mergers in these dense environments, challenging previous models of stellar evolution. 
