Black hole is hairless, reveals

analysis of gravitational waves

ARTICLE
2019.09.17
The news
• The no-hair theorem, which says that black holes only have 03
defining properties, has been tested in a new analysis of the first-ever
gravitational waves to be detected.
• Maximiliano Isi at the Massachusetts Institute and colleagues in New
York and California looked at the “ringdown” signal from the
GW150914 merger of two black holes and have shown that it is
consistent with the theorem.
Data used for reference ( to test “No Hair” theorem)

• This latest test of the theorem uses data from September 2015, when
the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors observed a signal from two
black holes orbiting each other in a binary system some 1.3 billion
light-years away. Astronomers watched as the objects got closer and
closer together until they coalesced into a single black hole with a
mass of about 62 Suns.
How “Gravitational Waves” were created ?
• At first, the resulting black hole is distorted and undergoes a rapid
relaxation over a few milliseconds to a more symmetrical state.
• The distorted black hole has a natural set of oscillatory modes – much
like the tones of a bell – and the relaxation involves the emission of
gravitational waves at the frequencies of these modes in a process
called “Ringdown”
• The exact nature of the ringdown process is defined by the physical
properties of the black hole –and therefore the frequencies should be
consistent with those predicted by general relativity and the no-hair
theorem.
Research data findings !
• It was found that the ringdown signal can be described in terms of
the fundamental mode of the black hole plus at least one overtone.
• This, they say, is consistent with the hypothesis that the GW150914
merger created a “Kerr black hole” (which is a black hole with zero
electrical charge)

Conclusion of research : Furthermore, the analysis is consistent with a

black hole that is characterized by the no-hair theorem
The “NO HAIR” Theorem
• The no-hair theorem is the statement that a black hole is characterized
by only 03 observable properties –
its mass,
angular momentum and
electrical charge.
• “No hair” refers to the resemblance of a black hole to a bald head with
few defining features.
• While the theorem has
no rigorous mathematical proof,
But since it is in line with general relativity and therefore widely accepted.
Why “No Hair” theorem important beyond
black holes ?
Context:
Information Paradox : whether information is destroyed when something is sucked into a black hole.

No Hair Theorem Quantum Theory

(suggests)

information must be destroyed Information cannot be destroyed when sucked in the

black hole.
Further !
• The LIGO (and Virgo) gravitational detectors have been upgraded
since the detection of GW150914 and ringdown signals taken at
improved detector sensitivities should provide a better indication of
the validity of the no-hair theorem. Ringdown data could also help
astronomers identify exotic astrophysical objects that could mimic
black holes.