A black hole discovery could force us to rethink how galaxies came to be

The discovery raises big questions about widely accepted models of galaxy formation.

Robin Smith, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Sheffield Hallam University • conversation
Feb. 27, 2024 • ~7 min

Why are some black holes bigger than others? An astronomer explains how these celestial vacuums grow

Pictures of black holes have a white outline around them when photographed, due to one of black holes’ unique and key features.

Jaclyn Champagne, JASPER Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Arizona • conversation
Dec. 18, 2023 • ~6 min

Powerful black holes might grow up in bustling galactic neighborhoods

An astronomer and ‘black hole historian’ explains how the parts of the universe black holes grow in might influence how quickly they become bright, supermassive objects.

Jaclyn Champagne, JASPER Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 11, 2023 • ~8 min

Black holes may be the source of mysterious dark energy that makes up most of the universe

Astronomers have found that mysterious dark energy may originate in black holes.

Dave Clements, Reader in Astrophysics, Imperial College London • conversation
Feb. 15, 2023 • ~8 min

Say hello to Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy

Sagittarius A* is a massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Now that astronomers have imaged it, they can begin to learn more about black holes within other galaxies across the universe.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
May 12, 2022 • ~8 min

How we captured first image of the supermassive black hole at centre of the Milky Way

We finally know that Sagittarius A* really exists.

Derek Ward-Thompson, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Central Lancashire • conversation
May 12, 2022 • ~6 min

Curious Kids: how are galaxies formed?

We have to look back to the Big Bang to find out.

Jacco van Loon, Astronomer, Keele University • conversation
Nov. 25, 2021 • ~6 min

We've imaged a black hole's magnetic field for the first time – here's what it reveals

New research can help explain how black holes can produce powerful jets.

Ziri Younsi, UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellow, UCL • conversation
March 26, 2021 • ~7 min

Could a human enter a black hole to study it?

If you are a sci-fi junkie you've probably wondered what would happen if you were unlucky enough to fall into a black hole. How well you'd fare all depends on the type of black hole.

Shanshan Rodriguez, Assistant Professor of Physics, Grinnell College • conversation
Feb. 1, 2021 • ~7 min

Nobel Prize: how Penrose, Genzel and Ghez helped put black holes at the centre of modern astrophysics

Roger Penrose helped resurrect Einstein's general theory of relativity, and Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez showed there was a black hole in the middle of our galaxy.

Andrew King, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Leicester • conversation
Oct. 7, 2020 • ~6 min

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