Supermassive: Black Holes at the Beginning and End of the Universe

This comprehensive and insightful book explores the history of black holes, offering readers an eye-opening journey through their discovery and the science behind proving their existence. Written by a physicist and an astrophysicist, the book provides space enthusiasts with a rare insider’s perspective on the groundbreaking advancements that led to our current understanding of black holes. The authors begin by establishing a strong foundation, reviewing general and special relativity as well as early understandings of the universe. They then transition into an exploration of gravity before diving into the scientific debates surrounding black holes’ existence, presenting arguments for and against their plausibility. Readers are then guided through the first successful search for a black hole, learning about the crucial role electromagnetic waves—particularly light and radio waves—played in the process. The book further explores astronomical phenomena, including stellar and supermassive black holes, quasars, pulsars, and neutron stars. A significant portion of the narrative is dedicated to the advancements in technology and human knowledge that made discovering and photographing a black hole possible. The authors continue to deepen the discussion by addressing complex topics such as quantum mechanics, singularity, and the information paradox. While not light reading, this book provides a rewarding experience for readers with an understanding of astrophysics. Its strength lies in the authors’ evident passion for the subject and their admiration for the scientists who contributed to these discoveries.