Scientists Are About To Switch On A Telescope That Could Photograph A Black Hole's Event Horizon

[Fweethawt]

http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-are-about-to-switch-on-the-first-telescope-that-could-photograph-a-black-hole-s-event-horizon

 

 

 

Black holes are among the most fascinating objects in the known Universe. But despite the fact that they're suspected to lurk at the centre of most galaxies, the reality is that no one has ever been able to actually photograph one.

 

That's because black holes, as their name implies, are very, very dark. They're so massive that they irreversibly consume everything that crosses their event horizon, including light, making them impossible to photograph. But that could be about to change, when a new telescope network switches on in April this year.

[bornagainathiest]

http://www.eventhorizontelescope.org/science/index.html

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35258378

 

Just a quick note...

 

If Einstein's theory of gravitation (General Relativity) is not confirmed by what the event horizon telescope sees, this will not mean that GR has totally failed and must be consigned to the trash bin of history.  What it will mean is that like Newton's theory of gravitation, GR applies to certain things - but not to other things.  A new theory of gravitation will then have to formulated.  Just as GR took over from where Newtonian gravity left off, so this new theory will take over where GR leaves off.

 

Thanks,

 

BAA.

[sdelsolray]

A black hole can be strongly inferred from observation by the lack of observed radiation coming from behind the black hole and the the observation of some of that radiation due to gravitation warping.  Indirect evidence and subsequent inference is often compelling.

[Joshpantera]