Scientists at CU Boulder have solved a major mystery in gravitational wave science. International experiments detected these cosmic ripples in space-time at far greater intensities than models predicted. New research reveals why: during galaxy mergers, smaller supermassive black holes grow rapidly by efficiently consuming surrounding gas.

As they gain mass, they produce the powerful gravitational waves we're now observing. Discover how this finding reshapes our understanding of black hole evolution and cosmic structure formation from the early universe to today.