Black Holes: The Universe's Codebreakers
B lack Holes: The Universe's Codebreakers 1.1 What is a Black Hole? A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so intense that nothing—not even light—can escape from it. They warp space and time to extremes, creating a cosmic trapdoor that defies our normal understanding of physics. 1.2 Where are They? Black holes are scattered across the universe. Some are remnants of massive stars that exploded as supernovae, while others reside quietly at the centers of galaxies, including our own Milky Way. 1.3 Importance of Studying Black Holes Studying black holes helps scientists probe the nature of gravity, test Einstein’s theories, and understand the beginnings and future of our universe. 2.1 Stellar Evolution & Supernovae Massive stars live fast and die young. In their death throes, they explode in a spectacular supernova, leaving behind a dense core. If the core is heavy enough, it collapses into a black hole. 2.2 Role of Mass in Formation Only stars with suffi...