Center for Interdisciplinary and Exploratory Research in Astrophysics (CIERA)

two stars creating radio pulse

First Radio Pulses Traced to Dead-Star Binary

An international team of astronomers, including a Northwestern University astrophysicist, has traced a series of mysterious radio pulses to an unprecedented home.

Starting a decade ago, astronomers have detected a pulse of radio emission every two hours, coming from the …


black holes and light spinning around their orbits

Black Holes’ Spins Align in a Valentine’s Embrace

Most people have heard of “love at first sight.” But how about “love at first collision?”

In a study fit for Valentine’s Day, Northwestern University astrophysicists discovered that binary black holes — when formed in crowded clusters of stars — …






Illustration: A spiralling, dense wind could help scientists understand why supermassive black holes are as massive as they are. Credit: M. D. Gorski/Aaron M. Geller

Dense, swirling winds help supermassive black holes grow

Newly uncovered process is similar to how stars and planets are born

By studying nearby galaxy ESO320-G030, a Northwestern University-led team of international astronomers has discovered extremely powerful rotating, magnetic winds help the galaxy’s central supermassive black hole grow.

The