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SUMMARY:Experimental Studies of Black Holes: Status &amp\; Prospects - Rei
 nhard Genzel (Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics)
DTSTART:20240502T150000Z
DTEND:20240502T160000Z
UID:TALK213310@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Alison Wilson
DESCRIPTION:More than a century ago\, Albert Einstein presented his genera
 l theory of gravitation. One of the predictions of this theory is that not
  only particles and objects with mass\, but also the quanta of light\, pho
 tons\, are tied to the curvature of space-time\, and thus to gravity. Ther
 e must be a critical mass density\, above which photons cannot escape. The
 se are black holes. It took fifty years before possible candidate objects 
 were identified by observational astronomy. Another fifty years have passe
 d\, until we finally can present detailed and credible experimental eviden
 ce that black holes of 10 to 10^10 times the mass of the Sun exist in the 
 Universe. Three very different experimental techniques have enabled these 
 critical experimental breakthroughs. It has become possible to investigate
  the space-time structure in the vicinity of the event horizons of black h
 oles. I will summarize these interferometric techniques\, and discuss the 
 spectacular recent improvements achieved with all three techniques. In con
 clusion\, I will sketch where the path of exploration and inquiry may lead
  to in the next decades.
LOCATION:Hoyle Lecture Theatre\, Institute of Astronomy (and online - deta
 ils to be sent by e-mail)
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