Fast-Spinning Black Holes May Split, New Study Suggests

Scientists have identified a theoretical loophole that could allow black holes to split into two, a process previously thought impossible. The finding stems from recent calculations showing that when a black hole spins near the speed of light, the centrifugal forces may overcome the gravitational binding that keeps the event horizon intact. If this mechanism operates, the resulting pair of black holes would share the original mass and spin, creating a new class of binary systems born from a single progenitor. The discovery opens a window for observational tests: next‑generation telescopes and gravitational‑wave detectors could look for signatures of such split events, such as unusual spin‑orbit configurations or unexpected mass ratios. Detecting them would confirm the theoretical prediction and reshape our understanding of black hole evolution.