What are black holes?

Black holes are one of the most enigmatic and mysterious phenomena in the universe. They are regions in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape its pull. Due to this characteristic, black holes are invisible to the naked eye, making them difficult to observe directly.

Formation of Black Holes

Black holes are formed when massive stars collapse under their gravity at the end of their life cycle. Alternatively, they can also form from the merger of two neutron stars or black holes. When a black hole forms, it creates a gravitational pull so strong that it distorts space and time around it.

Key Concepts

Two fundamental concepts of black holes are the event horizon and singularity. The event horizon is the point of no return around a black hole, beyond which nothing can escape. Singularity is the center of a black hole where gravity is infinitely strong and spacetime is infinitely curved.

Significance in Astrophysics

Black holes play a crucial role in astrophysics and physics, providing insights into the nature of spacetime and the laws of physics under extreme conditions. They also pose significant cosmic mysteries that continue to challenge our understanding of the universe.