The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration has observed the merger of two black holes, resulting in a final black hole approximately 225 times the mass of the Sun. This event, designated GW231123, was detected on November 23, 2023, during the fourth observing run of the LVK network.
The merger involved two black holes with masses around 100 and 140 times that of the Sun. The high mass and rapid spinning of these black holes challenge existing astrophysical models, particularly concerning the formation of such massive black holes. The signal's complexity required advanced modeling techniques to interpret accurately.
This detection underscores the continuous advancements in gravitational-wave astronomy and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of black hole mergers. The findings were presented at the 24th International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation and the 16th Edoardo Amaldi Conference on Gravitational Waves in Glasgow, Scotland, in July 2025.