GW260814: Detection of Intermediate-Mass Black Hole Merger in Lower Mass Gap
What Was Observed (Empirical Data)
Coincident chirp signal detected at SNR 23.4 across Hanford and Livingston stations. Primary mass estimated at 3.1 M☉ and secondary at 1.8 M☉ at luminosity distance 420 Mpc.
The Reality Check (Anti-Hype Analysis)
Primary falls in the mysterious "mass gap" between heaviest neutron stars (~2.2 M☉) and lightest black holes (~5 M☉). Strongest candidate yet for a primordial or fallback-accretion black hole.
PRIMARY SOURCE:
LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration