Astrophysicists find no 'hair' on black holes
14 days ago
- #quantum mechanics
- #general relativity
- #black holes
- Astrophysicists test Einstein's 'no-hair' conjecture for black holes using gravitational wave data.
- Black holes are described by mass and spin in general relativity, with no other distinguishing features ('no hair').
- Gravitational wave observations from black hole mergers support Einstein's theory, showing no deviations beyond 40 km from the event horizon.
- The 'no-hair' theorem conflicts with quantum mechanics, leading to the information paradox about lost information in black holes.
- Proposed solutions to the paradox include quantum 'hair' like firewalls, fuzzballs, gravastars, and regular black holes.
- Current searches for quantum hair effects, such as gravitational wave echoes, have not found evidence yet.
- Future detectors like the Einstein Telescope aim to test general relativity with unprecedented precision, possibly revealing new physics.