27 February 2024 / Accepted: 21 March 2024 | Reinhard Genzel, Frank Eisenhauer, Stefan Gillessen
This article provides an overview of experimental studies on black holes (BHs), focusing on the current status and future prospects of observational techniques. It begins by highlighting the theoretical foundations of black holes, rooted in Einstein's general theory of relativity (GR), which predicts that extremely massive objects can create regions of space-time from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The article traces the historical development of black hole research, from the initial theoretical predictions to the observational evidence that confirmed the existence of BHs with masses ranging from 10 to $10^{10}$ times that of the Sun.
The article discusses three key experimental techniques—interferometry, gravitational wave detection, and stellar dynamics—that have been instrumental in confirming the existence of black holes and studying their properties. These methods have enabled researchers to probe the space-time structure near the event horizons of BHs, measure the motion of stars and gas, and detect gravitational waves from BH mergers.
The Galactic Center, specifically the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (SgrA*), is a key focus, with detailed observations of stellar orbits and radio emissions providing strong evidence for the presence of a compact, massive object. The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has also contributed significantly by capturing the "shadow" of SgrA*, consistent with GR predictions.
The article also covers the detection of gravitational waves from binary black hole mergers, which has opened a new window into the study of BHs. These observations have confirmed the existence of stellar-mass black holes and provided insights into their formation and evolution. Future prospects include the use of advanced interferometers and space-based observatories like LISA to further test GR and explore the nature of black holes, including potential deviations from the no-hair theorem. The study emphasizes the importance of continued research to understand the role of black holes in the universe and their connection to galaxy evolution.This article provides an overview of experimental studies on black holes (BHs), focusing on the current status and future prospects of observational techniques. It begins by highlighting the theoretical foundations of black holes, rooted in Einstein's general theory of relativity (GR), which predicts that extremely massive objects can create regions of space-time from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The article traces the historical development of black hole research, from the initial theoretical predictions to the observational evidence that confirmed the existence of BHs with masses ranging from 10 to $10^{10}$ times that of the Sun.
The article discusses three key experimental techniques—interferometry, gravitational wave detection, and stellar dynamics—that have been instrumental in confirming the existence of black holes and studying their properties. These methods have enabled researchers to probe the space-time structure near the event horizons of BHs, measure the motion of stars and gas, and detect gravitational waves from BH mergers.
The Galactic Center, specifically the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (SgrA*), is a key focus, with detailed observations of stellar orbits and radio emissions providing strong evidence for the presence of a compact, massive object. The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has also contributed significantly by capturing the "shadow" of SgrA*, consistent with GR predictions.
The article also covers the detection of gravitational waves from binary black hole mergers, which has opened a new window into the study of BHs. These observations have confirmed the existence of stellar-mass black holes and provided insights into their formation and evolution. Future prospects include the use of advanced interferometers and space-based observatories like LISA to further test GR and explore the nature of black holes, including potential deviations from the no-hair theorem. The study emphasizes the importance of continued research to understand the role of black holes in the universe and their connection to galaxy evolution.