Behind the Wings ®
The Podcast – S7, Episode 62
Theoretical Physicist Andrew Strominger explains what exactly black holes are and how they could tell us about the beginning of the cosmos.
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In this episode, Andrew discusses the questions behind black holes, the strange physics at their event horizons, what they reveal about the nature of space and time, and how he, Stephen Hawking, and Malcolm Perry helped develop the theory that “soft hairs” may store information on the black holes’ surface. From leading minds like Einstein, Hawking, and Strominger, our understanding of these celestial bodies is constantly evolving, and we still have so much to learn. This one is going to be cool!
Key Takeaways:
- Black holes are loosely defined as celestial objects that pull in everything around them, including light. However, general relativity and quantum mechanics clash to explain what exactly they are, creating the famous “Information Paradox.”
- “Soft hairs” are an idea that black holes store information they absorb on the event horizon. By looking at their surface, we may be able to see back billions of years.
- Even Einstein, along with many other astronomers, didn’t believe in black holes. However, in 2019, the first photo of a black hole was captured, proving its existence.
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