Exotic 'blazar' is part of most extreme double black hole system ever found, crooked jet suggests

image via Space.com

August 1, 2025, 3:00 PM

• •A severely kinked jet from the blazar OJ 287 provides strong evidence of a binary black hole system.
• •The observed jet reorientation and shock wave activity support the model of a supermassive black hole orbited by a companion.
• •OJ 287's unique properties make it an excellent candidate for studying merging black holes and gravitational waves.
• •Future missions like LISA could potentially detect the gravitational waves from such black hole mergers.

Astronomers have observed a severely kinked jet emanating from the blazar OJ 287, providing compelling evidence of a binary black hole system. This unique structure, revealed in high-resolution radio images, suggests a supermassive black hole is orbited by a companion black hole. The jet's reorientation and the formation of a shock wave support this model. This system offers a prime opportunity to study merging black holes and the associated gravitational waves.

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