Darkness Visible: Shedding New Light on Black Holes

Black holes may hold the key to understanding the most fundamental truths of the universe, but how do you see something that’s, well, black? Astronomers think they have the answer. Thanks to a global array of radio telescopes that turn the Earth into a giant receiver, we may soon have the first picture of the event horizon of Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. And, with the power of math, scientists are going even further, using equations to “look” inside black holes, peering at the central singularity where general relativity and quantum mechanics collide. Join Brian Greene and other leading physicists and astronomers on a journey to make darkness visible.

MODERATOR: Brian Greene
PARTICIPANTS: Shep Doeleman, Andrea Ghez, Vicky Kalogera, Cumrun Vafa

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The Big Ideas Series is supported in part by the John Templeton Foundation.

Filmed live at the 2018 World Science Festival

[alexsanderbushov]

Brain Greene is my favorite moderator and really breaks down things into the most simple terms where anyone can follow

[anuragchatterjee]

Andrea won the Nobel prize in 2020 for the discovery of the super massive black hole she descibes here. What a privilege to see this video where she describes what is it like for her and her team as they make the ground breaking discovery! No wonder she is so excited...

[shirleymason]

I, a woman, age 87, with no science training or background, really appreciate this, and what you are doing, Professor Green.

[xteja]

These discussions are so enjoyable for people (like me) who are into Astrophysics and Cosmology. There’s nothing better than to relax with a cup of coffee listening to Dr. Greene and other physicists debate and reflect on our current understanding of the Universe.

[alentrav]

There's nothing I like better than listening to a real passionate and enthusiastic scientist. This lady is great!

[craigwall]

I like it when Brian is talking to his old friends. It's scientifically _cozy..._ I mean it's like the best times I can remember talking to people who were interested and knowledgeable in the science I was interested in.... just a set of memories to be treasured.

[gieltemolder]

This is the best use of the internet imo. Just putting out truly educational content, that can also reach a lot of people that might not have been able to get the type of education they would want.

[joetaylor]

I am startled that some people have clicked 'thumbs down' for this. How? This was a fabulous canter through current bleeding edge science on the most enigmatic and fascinating celestial objects. What's not to like?

[owaisahmad]

Very well done program. Great scientists and Brian Green asked all the pertinent questions and explain stuff in order to make it easy for everyone to understand.

[Thedudeabides]

Brian Green is the man. Love the way he presents information and interviews other scientists so laymen like myself can be intrigued and inspired.

[fatearther]

Very interesting discussion. Really wish they had programs like this when I was a kid, I might have studied physics.

[sarkaragha]

And Andrea Ghez won 2020 Noble prize in physics. What a wonderful woman she is.

[MarcoRoepers]

And now Andrea Ghez has won the Nobelprize!

[Epoch]

Thank you so *SO* much for putting things like this online. Not everything online has to be brain-rotting nonsense.

[jacquelinewashington]

Wonderfully spoken to, I really enjoyed this discussion! Thank you!

[Nobody]

Excellent. Thanks for posting. Most folks don't understand that Physicists are judged by coming up with EXACT solutions to define a given behavior. Not so in engineering. We routinely use linear approximations of non-linear systems that are derived from experiments. EXACT solutions are rare and incredibly complex. (Thus the reason I'm not a physicist and can only admire their work.)

[ricocapili]

Prof. Greene so enjoyable to watch, choice of subjects are mind blowing so are all guests sharing world-wide.

[fuzzmaayn]

oh shes just so lovely how enthusiastic and excited she gets about her work :) so wholesome i love her!

[Nos-Sumus-Deus]

I love Brian Greene. He explains things so great. Its easy to understand. With his parables lol

[durio_]

I didn't even remember what I had done with my life before I found this channel