A black hole (bottom left; artist’s illustration) that has escaped from its host galaxy leaves a trail of young stars in its wake. Credit: NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI) A ‘runaway’ black hole ejected from its host galaxy is barrelling across space — and leaving behind a wake of newborn stars. Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access $199.00 per year only $3.90 per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00510-2 van Dokkum, P. et al. Astrophys. J. 946, L50 (2023). Article Google Scholar van Dokkum, P. et al. Astrophys. J. 998, L27 (2026).…