Modern Wisdom #536 - Dr Becky Smethurst - The Secret World Of Black Holes
Oct 8, 2022
Dr. Becky Smethurst, an astrophysicist and Junior Research Fellow at Oxford, dives into the captivating realm of black holes. She debunks common myths, revealing that these dense objects aren’t actually holes and why we should rethink their terminology. Listeners will learn about TON618, the universe's largest black hole, and the fascinating implications of black hole collisions. The podcast also explores the exciting future of astronomical observation with new telescopes that will unveil more cosmic secrets.
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Misconceptions about Black Holes
- Black holes are neither black nor holes, but dense objects formed from collapsed stars.
- Their gravity is so strong that not even light can escape.
Origin of "Black Hole"
- Physicist Robert Dicke coined the term "black hole" in the 1960s.
- It was inspired by the "Black Hole of Calcutta," a cramped prison cell.
Black Holes: Spherical Prisons of Light
- Black holes are spherical objects, not two-dimensional holes.
- Their event horizon is the point of no return, beyond which nothing escapes.