In recent scientific research conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, a theoretical possibility has been discovered that newly formed stars could capture small ancient black holes, creating “Hawking stars.” These stars would appear no different from ordinary stars, but they would harbor black holes within their interiors. This fascinating theory proposed by Stephen Hawking in the 1970s has now been further explored by an international team of scientists.
What are the differences between a “Hawking star” and a regular star? Firstly, Hawking stars would exhibit distinct characteristics in their cores, where convection and heat transfer occur. Detecting these differences would be challenging using traditional methods, which is why scientists are turning to a new field of research called asteroseismology, which analyzes the acoustic vibrations within stars.
Black holes hold many mysteries and constitute a significant portion of the so-called dark matter in the universe. The discovery of Hawking stars could potentially confirm the existence of ancient black holes formed during the Big Bang. In the future, there is a possibility of finding such stars using the European satellite PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO), set to be launched in 2026.
Hawking stars could prove to be significant not only for a better understanding of black holes but also for studying their role in dark matter. This exciting discovery opens up new possibilities for exploring the universe and its origins.
FAQ:
What are black holes?
Black holes are cosmic regions that possess such strong gravitational fields that nothing, not even light, can escape from them. They are the result of the gravitational collapse of massive stars.
What is a Hawking star?
A Hawking star is a name given to a star that contains an ancient black hole at its core. The name originates from Stephen Hawking, a British physicist who first proposed this theory.
What is asteroseismology?
Asteroseismology is a scientific field that analyzes the acoustic vibrations inside stars. It is a new research method that enables the understanding of the internal structure and properties of stars.
Source:
Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (arXiv.org)
The source of the article is from the blog scimag.news