Researchers have verified Stephen Hawking's theory about black holes, demonstrating that their area increases as a result of merging, using gravitational waves.

In the last decade, researchers' ability to analyze gravitational waves has advanced significantly, allowing them to confirm a theory formulated by Stephen Hawking in 1971. They observed that, following the merger of two black holes, the total area of the result is greater than the sum of the initial areas, according to Hawking's theorem. Recently, LIGO detectors recorded gravitational waves from two black holes that merged, demonstrating this prediction. This achievement underscores the progress in astrophysics and the importance of Hawking's legacy in modern research.