What is a Black Hole?

A black hole is a cosmic body in a space-time region where the gravitational pull is so strong that particles or electromagnetic radiation, such as light, cannot escape from it. Black holes are formed from dead stars. When such stars have exhausted the thermonuclear fuels in their core at the end of their life, the core becomes unstable and gravitationally collapses inward upon itself, causing the outer layers of the star to tear apart. The inner region of the black hole, where the object’s mass lies, is known as its singularity. Albert Einstein calculated the structure of black holes in his “general theory of relativity.” A black hole has a boundary of no escape called the event horizon. The radius of the event horizon is called the Schwarzschild radius, named after German astronomer Karl Schwarzschild, who discovered the existence of collapsed stellar bodies that emit no radiation in 1916. However, there are a few conspiracy theories that claim their own version of black holes.

• Conspiracy – Black Hole is visible to the naked eye?

Fact – No

Many conspiracy theories claim that black holes are visible to the naked eye and can approach Earth faster than the speed of light. In reality, a black hole is an ideal black body, as it reflects no light. In simple terms, a black hole is a place in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that it compresses matter into a tiny space. The event horizon of a black hole is its boundary. Once a particle crosses the event horizon, it cannot leave due to the constant gravity across it. However, black holes are not visible to the naked eye; special telescopes and tools are required to detect them.

• Conspiracy – Will Earth be swallowed by a Black Hole?

Fact – No

Conspiracy theories claim that black holes go around in search of stars, moons, and planets to swallow. Fortunately, black holes follow the laws of gravity just like any other object in space. Our sun is the biggest star in our solar system. If a black hole were equal in size to the sun, it would have the same gravitational pull, meaning Earth would not be consumed. However, there are scenarios in which Earth could be swallowed by a black hole. Black holes create an effect called “spaghettification.” If a planet or any object gets too close to a black hole, it will stretch out like spaghetti. If the black hole approaches Earth too closely, its strong gravitational pull would twist and turn the planet, emitting strong radiation that could fry us.

• Conspiracy – Will the sun turn into a Black Hole?

Fact – No

The Sun will not turn into a black hole because it does not have the required mass to do so. After billions of years, when the Sun reaches the end of its life, it will become a giant red star. It will shed its outer layers and turn into a glowing ring of gas called a planetary nebula, causing the star to become a white dwarf. The Sun is not massive enough to form a black hole. Even if the Sun became a black hole, instead of orbiting the Sun, Earth would orbit the black hole. However, since the black hole would be so small, we would hardly feel any difference. Even if the Sun exploded and formed a black hole, it would be a tiny solar black hole. Humans might survive underground using geothermal energy to generate electricity and heat.

• Conspiracy – The Black Hole will never die?

Fact – No

In the 1970s, theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking made a remarkable discovery in quantum mechanics: black holes eventually dissolve. Yes, they will dissolve. How? Every so often, a particle pops into existence near the event horizon, causing it to fall in and escape. Unable to collide with each other, they slowly evaporate, appearing to glow. However, this process happens over eons. There are four types of black holes: stellar, intermediate, supermassive, and miniature. Hawking radiation is thermal radiation that appears near the event horizon due to relativistic quantum effects. Hawking radiation can reduce the mass and rotational energy of black holes, causing them to shrink in size and ultimately disappear.

• Conspiracy – Are Black Hole and Worm Hole is same?

Fact – No

A wormhole is a channel that helps transport objects through space. A black hole, on the other hand, is a cosmic body that sucks in everything in its path. A wormhole is a neck-shaped tunnel that channels objects to another end, expelling them through a white hole. A white hole is an exterior vent where the black hole disposes of the matter and other things it has swallowed. However, the white hole theory is the opposite of the black hole theory, as scientists have never observed one or found evidence for their existence.

• Conspiracy – The Black Hole is formed on planets?

Fact – No

• • Many conspiracy theories claim that black holes feed on dead planets and stars, growing big enough to consume living planets and stars, and that they approach planets at the speed of light. This is not true. Black holes are formed from the remains of a large star that dies in a supernova explosion. Smaller stars become dense neutron stars, which are not massive enough to capture light. Scientists cannot directly observe black holes using telescopes that detect x-rays or other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Instead, they detect radiation emitted by the black holes as they consume dust and gas. Scientists infer the presence of black holes through the powerful gamma-ray bursts they emit.