New research suggests supermassive black holes form from merging star clusters

Supermassive black holes likely form from the merger of dense star clusters, according to new research. This theory, published in Nature Astronomy, is based on gravitational wave data from LIGO and Virgo. It suggests these cosmic giants grow by consuming nearby stars within clusters. The study helps explain the existence of two distinct black hole size categories, with smaller ones forming from individual star collapses.