Einstein's theory debunked? Black holes could be frozen stars
What's the story
A groundbreaking study has proposed a radical new theory about black holes, challenging long-held scientific beliefs.
The research suggests that black holes may actually be "frozen stars," or theoretical remnants of stars that have ceased emitting light or heat.
These entities, also known as black dwarfs, represent the final stage in a star's life cycle.
This theory contradicts Albert Einstein's widely accepted model of black holes from his 1915 general relativity theory.
Theoretical challenges
Einstein's theory and its paradoxes
Einstein's model of black holes, a cornerstone of astrophysics, posits two main features: a point of infinite density at their center known as singularity, and an event horizon that prevents anything from escaping.
However, this model has faced significant challenges. For instance, it contradicts the principle that infinities do not exist in nature and everything is finite in physics.
Paradox resolution
A solution to black hole paradoxes
The study's authors argue that their theory of black holes as frozen stars resolves these paradoxes. They point out that these entities lack both a singularity and an event horizon.
The researchers found similarities between the thermodynamic properties of black holes and frozen stars, such as entropy and thermal radiation.
Ramy Brustein, lead author of the study and physics professor at Ben-Gurion University in Israel, described frozen stars as "ultracompact, astrophysical objects that are free of singularities, lack a horizon."
Theoretical implications
Implications of the frozen star theory
If black holes are indeed frozen stars, they would not have a point of infinite density or singularity. This aligns with the principle that real-world objects are finite.
Additionally, without an event horizon, radiations and particles could escape their boundary. This is consistent with Stephen Hawking's suggestion about light emission from black holes.
"We have shown how frozen stars behave as (nearly) perfect absorbers although lacking a horizon," Brustein explained to Live Science.
Study limitations
Limitations and future research
Despite its intriguing findings, the study has several limitations.
For example, black dwarfs are thought to have an internal structure, which is not expected in black holes.
Furthermore, there is currently no experimental evidence to support the claim that black holes are indeed frozen stars. As such, more research is needed to validate this hypothesis.
The study has been published in the journal Physical Review D.