When scientists revealed a fuzzy, fiery circle with a dark hole in the center to the world in April 2019, millions of people froze. It was the first image of a black hole—an object that, by definition, is impossible to see.
The photograph became a sensation not only for science but also for culture. For the first time, humanity has received proof that Einstein's theory of gravity works even at the limits of possibility, reports a Belnovosti correspondent.
The black hole at the center of the galaxy M87 is located 55 million light-years from Earth. Its mass is 6.5 billion times that of the Sun.
To obtain the image, scientists connected a network of radio telescopes around the world. This project was called the Event Horizon Telescope.
In effect, the Earth became a giant planet-sized telescope. Only in this way could one “see” an object that even light obscures.
The photograph showed not the hole itself, but its shadow. Light from the hot gas around the event horizon was bent by gravity, creating the characteristic ring.
Astrophysicists compared this moment to the discovery of new continents. For the first time, the theory was visually confirmed.
The image is the result of the work of more than two hundred scientists. They processed petabytes of data collected over several nights of observations.
Each telescope recorded radio waves, which were then synchronized using atomic clocks. This allowed the image to be assembled with incredible precision.
The photograph proved that black holes truly exist. Until then, they remained merely a hypothesis, confirmed by indirect observations.
Scientists note that the image helped test the general theory of relativity. And it passed the test again.
The photograph became a symbol of scientific collaboration. It would not have existed without the pooling of resources from different countries.
Today, the Event Horizon Telescope project continues its work. Scientists have already obtained an image of the black hole at the center of our galaxy.
These discoveries change our understanding of the Universe. They show that even the most mysterious objects can be studied.
The photograph of a black hole has become an icon of 21st-century science. It proved that the invisible can be made visible.
And this step opened a new era in astronomy, where the boundaries of knowledge are expanding beyond the imagination.
Read also
- Workers at a consumer cooperative in Lida stole meat for three years: the case has been referred to court.
- How a New Era of Cinema Was Born: What Changed the Premiere of Avatar
