Scientists measure the 'natal kick' that sent a baby black hole careening through space for the first time

Scientists have measured how a newly merged black hole was propelled through space after a collision between two unequally sized black holes. The 2019 gravitational wave signal GW190412 showed the resulting black hole moving at over 111,600 mph, fast enough to escape its original star cluster. By analyzing gravitational waves, researchers determined the direction and speed of this "natal kick." This discovery enables scientists to reconstruct the 3D motion of distant objects and explains how some black holes avoid merging into supermassive black holes.