Supermassive black holes: What we know, what we don’t know yet, and what we’ll never know

Black holes are mathematical objects. They appear in the formulas of general relativity as zeros and infinities, illustrating one thing above all: mathematics goes haywire there. Albert Einstein thought it must be a mistake and that black holes „do not exist in physical reality.“ But black holes are more than bizarre mathematical solutions; they are real and responsible for some of the most energetic events in the Universe.

Astronomers have already observed millions of black holes. Indirectly, because black holes can only be located by their gravitational effect on stellar orbits or gas in their vicinity. One of the most surprising findings is that black holes are essential for understanding the evolution of the Universe. But what are black holes? How do they form? How big can they get? How do they live? Can they also die? Will we fall into it at some point? What happens inside a black hole? – And: do scientists know all the answers to these questions?

Catarina Aydar from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) will take us on a journey to the supermassive black holes. She will show us what they are and tell us about their most beautiful secrets.