Hunting for the Biggest Binary Black Holes - March 31, 2023

Explore the fascinating world of binary black holes in this 59-minute lecture from the Simons Foundation, where discover how these massive cosmic systems generate immense energy and become the universe's brightest sources of electromagnetic and gravitational radiation. Learn about the formation of giant binaries during galaxy mergers and their complex interactions with surrounding gas, stars, and dust. Understand the potential signatures of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and the anticipated detection of gravitational waves through observatories like Pulsar Timing Arrays and LISA. Delve into the current challenges in definitively detecting these systems, examine various emission signatures from binary supermassive black holes, and explore recent breakthroughs in pulsar timing array research. Gain insights into ongoing efforts to detect both gravitational and electromagnetic waves from these colossal cosmic phenomena.