Theoretical physicist Alex Lupsasca is on a mission to capture an image of a "photon ring," a thin ring of light thought to surround every black hole.
According to physicists, black holes are regions of the universe where spacetime is warped, making it impossible for anything to escape. However, particles of light, or photons, can graze the edge of the black hole without falling in, orbiting it one or more times before breaking away.
This phenomenon creates a "photon ring," which has the power to reveal secrets from the black hole's edge. An image of this ring could test Einstein's general theory of relativity.
A mysterious ring of light is thought to surround every black hole.
Alex Lupsasca is pushing for a space telescope to glimpse this elusive ring, which could lead to groundbreaking discoveries about black holes.
Author's summary: Physicist Alex Lupsasca aims to capture the first image of a black hole's photon ring.