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PIRSA:20100010

Video URL

https://pirsa.org/20100010

GW190521 - Discovery of Black Holes that Should Not Exist

Jani, K. (2020). GW190521 - Discovery of Black Holes that Should Not Exist. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. https://pirsa.org/20100010

Karan Jani Pennsylvania State University

Talk numberPIRSA:20100010
DOI10.48660/20100010
Source RepositoryPIRSA
Collection
Talk Type Scientific Series
Subject

Abstract

The new gravitational-wave signal GW190521in LIGO and Virgo marks the first observational detection of the elusive intermediate-mass black holes. The detection also confirms there exist a new class of black holes in the mass gap predicted by the pair-instability supernovae theory. In this talk, I will discuss the process that went behind inferring the astrophysical properties of this historic discovery. I would briefly address the alternative scenarios we looked into for a possible exotic origin of this signal, including any violation of General Relativity. For the upcoming ESA/NASA space mission LISA, I would highlight how this discovery opens a unique epoch of multi-band, multi-messenger astronomy.