ARIES-led decade of observations gives new insight into the rare massive binary black hole system OJ 287
6 October 2026
A study led by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, with lead researcher Dr Alok C. Gupta, reported new insight into the binary black hole system OJ 287. The object lies about 4 billion light-years away. The central black hole mass was estimated to be at least 3.89 billion solar masses and the orbital period is 12 years. Observations ran from 2015 to 2025 using about two dozen telescopes. The work involved 106 scientists from 48 institutions across 18 countries.
Object:
OJ 287
Distance:
About 4 billion light-years
Orbital period:
12 years
Scientists:
106 from 48 institutions in 18 countries
Why it matters for exams: Indian institutes and astronomy discoveries are frequent in science and technology sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Binary black hole Two black holes orbiting each other — A pair of black holes bound by gravity that circle a common centre.