Scientists Detect Possible Primordial Black Holes from Big Bang

Scientists have reported what could be the first evidence of primordial black holes, theorized to have formed during the Big Bang. The potential discovery emerged from the detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) and Virgo detectors. The event, designated S251112cm, marks a significant moment in astrophysics, as it suggests the existence of black holes that may be smaller than previously known stellar remnants.

The LIGO-Virgo collaboration has been operational since 2012, routinely identifying gravitational waves produced by the merger of black holes and neutron stars. On November 12, 2025, an automated alert was issued for a merger event that deviated from the norm. Initial analysis indicated that one of the objects involved in the merger had a mass too small to be classified as a typical stellar-mass black hole or neutron star. According to Djuna Croon, a theoretical physicist at Durham University, if validated, this finding would be groundbreaking. “This is not an event we can explain by conventional astrophysical processes,” he stated.

Researcher Christopher Berry, a member of the LIGO team, noted the intriguing nature of the candidate signal, suggesting it could originate from a “subsolar mass source.” Current estimates indicate a chirp mass of approximately 0.1 to 0.87 solar masses. However, he cautioned that the likelihood of this being a false alarm is significant, with a rate of approximately one in 6.2 years for such detections. The rarity of this signal adds a layer of uncertainty, as it is unusual for events of this nature.

Primordial black holes, theorized to have formed shortly after the Big Bang, are distinct from typical black holes formed from collapsing stars. They are believed to have originated from dense regions in the early universe’s hot plasma, potentially ranging in mass from 1/100,000th the mass of a paperclip to 100,000 times that of the sun. Such black holes could play a crucial role in understanding the evolution of the universe and may even provide insights into the nature of dark matter.

Dark matter is an enigmatic substance that constitutes roughly 85% of the universe’s mass but remains invisible due to its lack of interaction with electromagnetic radiation. Scientists have long sought candidates for dark matter that do not rely on known stellar processes. Primordial black holes fit this criterion, as their existence aligns with current cosmological models.

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking posited that black holes emit heat in the form of “Hawking Radiation,” gradually evaporating over time. While larger black holes may persist for eons, smaller primordial black holes could have disappeared soon after formation. This adds complexity to the search for evidence of their existence.

If the S251112cm signal is confirmed, it would challenge existing astrophysical paradigms. The LIGO-Virgo alert has prompted astronomers to search for electromagnetic signals accompanying the gravitational wave, although the source’s location covers an area of sky approximately 6,000 times the width of the moon. This vast search area complicates efforts to find potential evidence of a merger event.

For now, researchers have only the gravitational wave data to analyze. The signal provides crucial information about the “hum” of gravitational waves leading up to the merger, aiding in the classification of the two colliding objects. Yet, the uncertainty surrounding the event looms large. According to Croon, “It seems unlikely that we’ll actually know with certainty whether this alert was real or not,” emphasizing the challenges present in confirming such rare phenomena.

As scientists continue to investigate the implications of S251112cm, the excitement surrounding the potential existence of primordial black holes underscores the ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe.