Images: When black holes collide

Einstein's vision simulated. Through calculations based on the genius's theory of general relativity, NASA has managed to create a 3D simulation of two black holes merging. The colliding bodies emit gravitational waves that can travel through space for years.

If the gravitational waves from merging black holes can be detected, they provide a new way of exploring the universe, according to NASA. The mapping of the waves is equaled to the discovery of infrared light, radio waves and X-rays.

Here, two giant black holes approach each other in the galaxy cluster Abell 400. The picture was taken by an X-ray telescope and shows the multimillion degree radio jets stemming from the black holes. The holes look like white spots in the picture.