Latest news with #BlackHole
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Black Holes explained: Unraveling the facts of space's cosmic mystery
Black holes are mysterious cosmic objects with gravity which are so strong that even light cannot escape. They form when massive stars collapse under their own gravity creating a dense point called a singularity, surrounded by an event horizon which is the point of no return. The concept of black holes was introduced in 1916 but physicists at the time doubted that such objects could truly exist. Though invisible, black holes can be detected by their effects on nearby matter such as pulling in stars or emitting X-rays. They range in size from stellar to supermassive black holes and are found at galaxy centers. Studying black holes helps in understanding gravity, space and time which offer clues about the fundamental laws that govern the universe. The black hole carries various facts and secrets which we are going to discover here. 5 incredible facts about Black Hole The closest Black Hole- Gaia BH1 Gaia BH1 is currently the nearest confirmed black hole to Earth which is located about 1,500 light-years away in the constellation named Ophiuchus. Unlike many black holes detected by their bright X-ray emissions from consuming nearby matter, Gaia BH1 is part of a binary system with a sun-like star but it doesn't actively pull in material, which makes it quiet and harder to spot. It was discovered using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite which precisely measures star positions and motions. Scientists confirmed Gaia BH1's existence by detecting the shift in its companion star's motion caused by the black hole's gravitational pull. This discovery is important because it suggests many more quiet black holes that might be hiding nearby but are undetectable by traditional X-ray methods and offers new opportunities to study black holes in different environments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bolsas nos olhos? (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista Saúde & Beleza Saiba Mais Undo The biggest known black hole - TON 618 TON 618 is the biggest known black hole which carries about 66 billion times the sun's mass. TON 618 is a supermassive black hole found within a distant quasar which is located billions of light-years from Earth. It's one of the most massive black holes ever discovered with a mass about 66 billion times that of our Sun. TON 618 was detected by observing the intense light emitted from the quasar which is a highly energetic region around the black hole where gas and dust fall in and heat up, producing powerful radiation. The quasar's brightness allowed scientists to estimate the black hole's mass through measurements of the gas motion near its event horizon. Studying TON 618 helps in understanding how such enormous black holes form and grow over cosmic time and sheds light on the early universe's conditions as quasars like TON 618 were more common billions of years ago. The Milky Way's central black hole - Sagittarius A* Sagittarius A* is a supermassive black hole situated about 26,000 light-years from Earth which is present right at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It has a mass of approximately 4 million times that of the Sun. Despite its huge mass, Sagittarius A* is relatively quiet compared to the active black holes found in other galaxies which mean it doesn't currently consume large amounts of matter. Scientists have studied Sagittarius A* by tracking the orbits of stars moving around it, which helped confirm its presence and estimate its mass. This black hole plays a crucial role in the dynamics and evolution of our galaxy's core. Sagittarius A* is a key target for future imaging efforts to better understand these mysterious cosmic giants. Black holes are found in abundance across our galaxy Scientists believe that the Milky Way galaxy contains millions of black holes. These black holes form from the remains of massive stars that have ended their life cycles in supernova explosions. While only a few dozen black holes have been directly observed, many more are thought to exist but remain hidden because they don't emit light or X-rays. Most of these black holes are stellar black holes which are much smaller than supermassive ones like Sagittarius A* at the galaxy's center. They quietly roam space, sometimes in binary systems with other stars, occasionally pulling in material that can reveal their presence. Ongoing research and new methods like tracking the movements of stars or detecting gravitational waves are helping astronomers to uncover more of these hidden black holes, which play an important role in the galaxy's evolution. Black holes' cores can be nearly as cold as 'absolute zero' Black holes are often thought of as incredibly hot because of the energy and radiation around them, but at their very center, the temperature can be extremely low, approaching absolute zero (–273.15°C or –459.67°F). Absolute zero is the coldest possible temperature, where atomic motion nearly coldness arises because the singularity is a point of infinite density and gravity where the laws of physics as we know them break down. The intense gravitational pull traps everything but no heat or light escapes from within the event horizon. Interestingly, while the core is nearly frozen in temperature, the area just outside the event horizon can emit a faint glow called Hawking radiation which is caused by quantum effects near the black hole's the temperature inside black holes helps to explore how gravity and quantum mechanics interact under extreme conditions. How black holes are formed Black holes form when massive stars reach the end of their life cycle. During a star's life, it burns fuel through nuclear fusion, creating outward pressure that balances the inward pull of gravity. When the star runs out of fuel, this balance is lost and gravity causes the star to collapse. For very massive stars that are typically more than 20 times the mass of the Sun, this collapse is so intense that the core compresses into a single point called a singularity which is surrounded by an event horizon, forming a black hole. The outer layers of the star may explode in a supernova, scattering elements into space. In addition to stellar black holes, there are supermassive black holes that form over millions of years, possibly from the merging of smaller black holes or the collapse of massive gas clouds at the centers of galaxies. What happens inside a black hole Inside a black hole lies a region called the singularity where gravity is so intense that it crushes matter into an infinitely small and dense point. The laws of physics like general relativity and quantum mechanics, break down at this singularity which makes it one of the biggest mysteries in science. Surrounding the singularity is the event horizon, the boundary beyond which nothing, not even light can escape. Once something crosses this boundary, it is inevitably pulled toward the singularity. Inside the event horizon, space and time behave in strange ways. Time appears to slow down dramatically relative to an outside observer and the usual rules of cause and effect can become distorted. Because no information can escape from inside the event horizon, scientists cannot observe what truly happens inside a black hole directly. Instead, they use theoretical physics and indirect observations to understand these mysterious objects. Visual nature of black holes Black holes themselves are invisible because their gravity is so strong that not even light can escape which makes them appear completely black against the backdrop of space. However, we can see their presence indirectly. Around a black hole is often a glowing accretion disk which is a swirling ring of gas, dust and other matter that heats up and emits bright radiation as it spirals in. This disk can be incredibly luminous, outshining entire galaxies. Additionally, black holes can bend and distort light around them due to their intense gravity, creating a phenomenon called gravitational lensing. This warping of light can cause strange visual effects, like rings . In 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope captured the first-ever image of a black hole's shadow, showing a dark center surrounded by a bright ring of glowing matter, offering a glimpse into what black holes "look like" from a distance. Also read: Copper-legged blue frog from poison dart family discovered in the Amazon rainforest
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Secretly yours, NVJ: A pseudonym that cloaked Narlikar's sci-fi writing debut
Pune: AP Deshpande, honorary secretary of Marathi Vidnyan Parishad , and a long-time associate of Jayant Narlikar , said that the first time the renowned astrophysicist wrote science fiction was in 1974. "Narlikar took inspiration from his PhD guide Fred Hoyle who was also a science fiction writer. The astrophysicist was president of Marathi Vidnyan Parishad in 1973 at Jalna in Marathwada. That year, he distributed prizes for our science fiction story-writing competition. It was here that the thought of writing occurred to him. Until then, Narlikar had never penned fiction." He decided to participate in the competition the next year. "It was the fourth year of the contest. He wrote the story as there were no Marathi typewriters at TIFR. He realised that someone would recognise his handwriting. So, he told his wife Mangala to copy it," Deshpande added. Narlikar chose not to submit the story under his name to avoid influencing the jury. Instead, he created the pseudonym Narayan Vinayak Jagtap (NVJ), reversing his JVN initials, Deshpande added. "The story won the first prize. Our panel comprised an expert with a science background and another in literature. After the results, he wrote to us revealing who Narayan Vinayak Jagtap was. The story — Krushna Vivar (Black Hole) — was published in his short story collection in 1978 by Mouj Prakashan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo He mentioned this episode in the preface," he said. Durga Bhagwat was president of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 1974 when she referred to Narlikar and his work. Well-known humorist Pu La Deshpande too acknowledged his contributions in 1975. "Marathi Vidnyan Parishad opened a new chapter in Marathi literature by introducing science fiction. What set Narlikar apart from other writers was his aim to explain science through storytelling which drew much criticism. Some argued that if literature had a specific 'intention' or agenda, it was reduced to second-grade writing. In his early stories, he included diagrams to illustrate scientific concepts. But over time, he evolved as the leading voice among science fiction writers in Marathi," Deshpande said.
Mint
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Mezok': A play featuring six actors and a shapeshifting table
Actor-director Jyoti Dogra's penchant for using objects in her productions dates back to 2014 when she worked with a table and chair for a short performance in Japan. 'I started working with it, climbing on it. When you stand on a table, you are a different—a changed—person," she says. In her previous award-winning production, Black Hole, she used a sheet in a big way. But it all began with a wooden stool that broke mid-rehearsal. 'If that hadn't happened, Black Hole would have been a different play." And now, the table returns in her latest play, Mezok, as well. Dogra is best known for her solo work like Notes on Chai, Black Hole, and recently, Maas. But this is the first time that she has traded an actor's role for the director's seat in an ensemble piece featuring six actors and a shapeshifting table. They take you on a journey across mountains and towering malls, through stories of desire and longing, frequently interrupted by bureaucracy and fate. Dogra has little interest in linear stories or narratives or, for that matter, in language in its literal sense. But she uses some form of all three to give her piece its unmistakable rhythm. She began Mezok, which was earlier named Mez (table in Hindi), with no idea or theme in mind. All she had was an image of six actors walking on a table. 'You begin with nothing and stay in the nothingness till the end. That allows things to change," she says. Siddharth Sirohi of Baro Design was roped in to design the formidable piece of furniture straight out of Dogra's imagination. 'I had told him that the table must look like a tree had been uprooted. It must reflect in the texture. And indeed, Siddharth's table is made of old teak. It has a certain coarseness," she says. Her characters in the play, though, are rootless—in search of homes, lives, and connection. Dogra chooses to layer textured moments and images that can unlock something deeper in the audience. Despite the devised nature of the play, the lines are poignant and often stop just short of being poetic. Dogra's extensive exercise in elimination ensures that discomfort, not beauty, takes precedence. Also read: 6 events you must check out this Mother's Day weekend The devised piece began with the cast mining their own lives for stories rooted in their culture and region. A week later at their residency at Prakash Raj's Nirdigantha in Mysuru, the enormous table entered the fold. It was welcomed and cared for as a new actor— a raw giant member of the ensemble. Dogra encouraged the actors to walk on it, sit underneath it, and note the change in experience. They moved the table around— it stood upright at times and was overturned at others. When they stood on top of it, the actors looked up and said they felt like they were atop a mountain. 'Because when you are on a mountain, you look up. It is only when you are in buildings that you look down," says Dogra. This is how the idea of the fictitious mountain Mezok was born. It helped that two of the cast members (Ambika Kamal and Tsering Lhamo) came from the hills. The group discovered and developed many ideas, and eventually distilled them down to longing for different lives, and homes. The central characters are all named Pavitra Kumar and have the same distinguishing features. The first, a driver from Delhi, dreams of a life in Alberta, Canada. The second makes the move from the mountains to Mumbai to work as a watchman in a glitzy new mall. The third accompanies an army battalion as a porter in high-altitude conditions. A fleeting fourth, Pavitra Kumar, a corporate slave, visits the mountains in search of peace. He dreams of quitting his job, marrying a Pahadi girl, and becoming a potato farmer. The two hill women, though long for the men, live robust lives filled with labour and simple pleasures. The sixth member of the ensemble (the table) becomes the seat of every rendezvous. It stands tall when the lovers meet amid mountains, is dragged around when the women gossip while they labour, doubles up as a passport office, and turns into the door to a childhood home when a son comes calling on his estranged father. The under-shelf shapeshifts into different kinds of windows in an office and a home. It unlocks a new space for the actors to explore. The table is never left behind and is central to the scenography of the play as the seventh member of the ensemble. It urges you to look deeper, not simply marvel at its form and function. Mezok, majestic and imposing at once, sees you before you see it. It is as much a metaphorical mountain in the lives of its protagonists as the real snow-capped image. But the play does not exist in the fantastical space one may imagine. Its moments are deeply rooted in the politics of labour and class, migration and urban development, and more. Also read: White smoke on the silver screen: How Hollywood sees the papacy Much like Dogra's other work, it doesn't pontificate but lets the layers unravel for the viewer. Dogra believes it is 'unconsciously' political and it's the way she'd like it to remain. 'A position is too simplistic a way of doing things. As much as I am interested in politics, when it comes to my art, I am interested in other things," she explains. Mezok has a bare black stage for its abstract world with inventive use of threads to aid movement. As the table is dragged around its periphery, the heaviness produces a coarse grating sound upon friction. Though discomforting at first, it finds its rhythm in the musical interludes by Kaizad Gherda. A vocal call to the mountain Mezok, by the actors, flirts with the idea of a different realm and escape from reality, but the play never fully commits to it. It's quite like the lives of the many Pavitra Kumars and their imagined existence in different worlds, so clear yet so far. It creates the space for a track on bureaucracy and endless paperwork. The limbo and the language are in stark contrast to the emotional graph of the scenes. The son, dealing with his father's death, is seen grappling on an extended phone call with an insurance company. The driver's flame of hope is quickly doused by the jaded officers at the passport office. And a woman's search for her missing husband in the upper reaches of the mountains is impeded by forms and formality. Mezok is filled with these subliminal inner explosions, and a particular externalised one. And while at it, it leaves you on the verge of one of your own, offering a rare catharsis wrapped up in the swathes of an imagined picturesque landscape. Like the mythical mountain, it makes you feel seen — sometimes small and defeated, and at others, tall and hopeful. 'Mezok' will be performed at the Prestige Centre for Performing Arts, Bengaluru, 10 May, 7 pm. Also read: What to watch this week: 'Gram Chikitsalay', 'The Royals', and more
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
What is the ‘Black Hole Bomb' theory and how scientists brought it to life in the lab
Source: Live Science Fascinating science behind the 'Black Hole Bomb' theory Black Hole rotation and its effect on space-time Real-world evidence of the 'Black Hole Bomb' Implications for Black Hole research Also Read | Spin in a black hole produces an effect called "frame dragging," an effect where space-time is curved around the spinning black hole by the rotation of the black hole. This profoundly affects particles that are close, transferring energy to particles that move in the direction of the rotation of the black hole. A breakthrough by scientists at the University of Southampton has moved the " Black Hole Bomb " theory of theoretical physics from theory into the laboratory, and a major advance has been made in the science of black holes and their unique "Black Hole Bomb" theory was originally discussed in the 1970s by brilliant scientists Roger Penrose and Yakov Zeldovich. Their theory was founded on the assumption that the rotational energy of a black hole could be tapped and magnified. In their hypothesis, they proposed that the spin of a black hole could be used as a method of increasing the energy levels in the surrounding environment. If this process repeated, it would be able to emit so much energy that it would have a strong possibility of producing a calamitous explosion, the same type of explosion which is produced by a the name is horrifying, the theory of the Black Hole Bomb is more of a fascinating scientific proposition than a threat. It shows how incredible potential there is with black holes as well as their sophisticated dynamics better a black hole is rotating, it warps the surrounding space-time—a phenomenon referred to as "frame dragging." Through this phenomenon, space-time gets curled up along the axis of rotation of the black hole and pulls other nearby particles along with it. In the case of particles moving along the direction of rotation of the black hole, this action can add more energy. One of the analogies used to describe this is the experience of traveling on a conveyor belt or airport moving walkway, in which a fragment of object passing along in the same direction as the walkway have been fascinated by this bizarre black hole phenomenon for decades because it is a reflection of the humongous and enigmatic power of these cosmic years, the Black Hole Bomb was merely a theoretical entity, trapped in papers and never put to the test or proved through experiment. Everything changed in an experiment led by Marion Cromb and her team at the University of Southampton. In their lab, the team employed a rotating aluminum cylinder confined by rotating magnetic fields surrounding it. By altering the rate of rotation of the magnetic fields relative to the cylinder, they were able to observe changes taking place in the energy dynamics of the test result was sensational. When the spinning cylinder spun faster than the external magnetic field, the energy of the system increased. When the magnetic field spun faster than the cylinder, energy levels plummeted. This experiment was capable of simulating conditions that are predicted to exist around a black hole's event horizon, demonstrating the Black Hole Bomb theory in the team released their results on the scientific preprint server, arXiv, making available to the wider scientific community a useful new piece of evidence for this discovery is a major breakthrough in black hole research. This makes it possible for researchers to explore the hypothetical energy of a black hole without having to observe or touch it, which under usual circumstances would be extremely difficult given the violent conditions within the area surrounding such cosmic monsters. By performing such experiments on rotating cylinders and magnetic fields, scientists can mimic and investigate phenomena in the ergosphere of a black hole, the area just outside its event this finding itself does not imply that black holes would or could be used as weapons or used in day-to-day technology, it provides a new understanding of one of the universe's most mysterious and potent forces. The findings pave the way for further research into the workings of black holes and potentially new advances in the years ahead.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vanguart Bends Time and Space With Watches Inspired by the Stars — and Science Fiction
What happens when watchmakers take control of the shop and create their fantasy pieces? That's the story of Vanguart, a brand created by veteran watchmakers who are going wild with movements and design, and marketing their creations to fellow enthusiasts. 'These watches are not for the first-time buyer,' said Mehmet Koruturk, Vanguart's chairman and one of four cofounders. 'They're for the seasoned collector, the person who has everything — and wants something different.' More from WWD Neil Armstrong's Gold Omega Speedmaster Is Up for Auction Usher Taps Established, Emerging Designers for European Tour Costumes Ashley Williams Lets Her Feelings Do the Talking That's why Vanguart has been taking a slightly different approach from its competitors, and targeting watch aficionados across a variety of sports and industries, including soccer, Formula 1, fashion and film. NBA star James Harden was an early investor in Vanguart, while Thiago Silva wore the brand's sci-fi-inspired Black Hole watch during the World Cup in Qatar as captain of Brazil's national team. Vanguart's latest sports tie-up, with a male tennis champ, will be revealed around the time of Roland-Garros in Paris in late May. The brand has also been appealing to a growing consumer segment — women — and tapped the designer and retailer Anu Hinduja; socialite Lady Eliza Spencer, and singer Isabel Getty for its latest social media campaign. From Monday to Friday at Geneva's Beau Rivage hotel alongside the Watches and Wonders fair, the brand plans to showcase the latest editions of its futuristic Orb watch and Black Hole Tourbillon, which was inspired by dying stars. There will also be an ultra-special piece, a Black Hole Tourbillon with a sapphire dial and a white gold case dotted with diamonds. The veteran watchmakers cooking up these designs include Axel Leuenberger, Vanguart's cofounder and chief executive officer. He worked in research and development at Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi, or APRP, which makes watches and micro-movements for watches. Leuenberger works alongside fellow cofounder Jérémy Freléchox, who is Vanguart's chief technical officer and another APRP veteran. Earlier in their careers, Leuenberger and Freléchox worked closely with master watchmaker Giulio Papi, cofounder of Renaud & Papi, helping to develop complicated movements for brands including Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille and Chanel. The fourth cofounder is Vanguart's creative director Thierry Fischer, a longtime watch designer who has worked with several major brands. Fischer said that while Vanguart's designs always start with 'a raw artistic vision,' the watches are not works of art. He said the team is mindful of the 'way mechanics interact with the wearer, and the way the object feels in the hand.' The first Vanguart watch, the Black Hole Tourbillon, launched in 2021, with the titanium version priced at $360,000. There is also a gold model that costs $400,000. The Black Hole has 750 movements, three concentric rings that turn independently, and a sunken dial inspired by the forceful gravitational pull of dead stars. It has a flying tourbillon aimed at defying gravity and improving precision. Instead of a crown, the Black Hole has a patented, sliding joystick, which Vanguart describes as a simplification, as opposed to a complication. Instead of turning a crown to adjust the time, the person wearing the Black Hole can push the joystick forward or backward. Leaving the joystick in the backward mode activates a countdown feature. 'Being commercial was not the main concern with the Black Hole,' said Koruturk, whose background is in private equity and Formula 1. 'We wanted to make a big statement and say, 'We can do crazy things.'' In 2024 the team came up with The Orb, a more commercial watch with prices that start at around $200,000, depending on the case. That style also has a flying tourbillon movement and, unusually, allows the wearer to switch between automatic and manual winding modes. It has a hand-decorated case, which Fischer describes as 'evoking relics of the past, and visions of the future.' While the movements and playful features may be on show, the underpinnings — like screws and fasteners — are invisible. Straps can be popped on and off with the touch of a hidden button. The watches come with nine-year warranties, which are rare in the industry. 'I worked in Formula 1 before, and I see — more and more — that this industry is very similar. There is so much high-end research and development — it's also a bit like the space industry,' Koruturk said. He added that the Black Hole has some components that are 'difficult to see with the human eye. These are luxury pieces, but with super-complex engineering behind them,' he said. The team has been taking commissions and, most recently, created the Black Hole Yas Edition, named for Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and priced at $850,000. Commissioned in the Middle East by one of the biggest watch collectors in the world, it was designed as an homage to the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, Koruturk said. Although Vanguart may have launched with ultra-complicated, small-batch designs, its ambitions are big. 'Our goal was never to be a micro-brand or an artisanal one, doing 15 to 20 watches a year. We want to be a strong player and grow significantly, but slowly and at a steady pace. But when you compete with the strong players, they have a lot of money to burn in terms of marketing and press, which we don't have. So it's been very difficult to penetrate the market,' Koruturk said. The brand, which currently sells around 100 watches a year, began with direct-to-consumer sales. It took on two distributors last year, the New York-based watch and jewelry retailer Material Good and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons in the Middle East. Yoni Ben-Yehuda, head of watches at Material Good, described the Vangaurt watches as 'futurism seen through a traditional lens.' He said the team also has 'a keen eye for wearability and comfort, which is sometimes overlooked when innovating new case shapes and designs. The Orb is, without a doubt, one of the most comfortable timepieces I have ever worn.' He added that the brand — unusually for an independent start-up — also has 'a great sense for the business of watches. Building an impactful watch brand goes way beyond creating an excellent timepiece.' Vanguart also supplies movements to third-party brands, and clients say their behind-the-scenes work on movements is top-notch. Michael Friedman, founder and director of the soon-to-launch watch brand Pattern Recognition and the former head of complications at Audemars Piguet, said Vanguart's cofounders work well together. 'They are helping me engineer and develop the first movement for my own brand, which will debut later this year. The four founders — Axel, Mehmet, Jeremy and Thierry — each have such complementary skills and unique personalities. They remind me of a virtuoso rock band where each member is a true master of their own instrument and capable of playing flawlessly together,' he said. Koruturk said a big priority now is to raise awareness and get Vanguart watches 'on the right wrists.' In March, it became the official timekeeping partner at the first Icons Series event in Asia, which was hosted at Reignwood Park in Bangkok. The sporting event, which was broadcast in more than 120 countries, saw a lineup of retired international soccer stars compete in matches and play golf, all to the beat of the Vanguart watches. Best of WWD Watch Industry Tastemakers on Their Top 10 Timepieces and What Makes a Collectible Zenith Releases Two Timepieces Blancpain Expands Air Command Range
