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Scientists Claim First Detection of Black Hole Event-Horizon 'Direct Wave'

If validated, the isolated direct wave would give astronomers a new way to measure the black hole’s near-horizon rotation and to test general relativity.

An artist's impression of what happens when two black holes merge into one
Scientists May Have Detected The First Signature of a Black Hole's Event Horizon
The first image of a supermassive black hole at the centre of our home galaxy the Milky Way
Image

Overview

  • The claim, published in Nature on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, reports that an international team led by Sizheng Ma analysed the loud GW250114 signal from January 2025 and isolated a faint final burst they call a 'direct wave'.
  • The team says the direct wave carries information from closer to the event horizon than previous signals and shows features consistent with horizon rotation and frame dragging.
  • The result rests on a novel method to separate the direct wave from the more familiar ringdown signal and on the exceptional clarity of GW250114, which provided the signal strength needed to try this test.
  • Outside experts gave mixed reactions: some called the analysis compelling but urged independent checks, while others questioned whether the observed frequency is uniquely tied to the horizon.
  • Researchers now plan follow-up analyses of past events, searches for the signature in future detections, and theoretical work to confirm the interpretation and to explore tests for deviations from general relativity.