Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

The only thing more terrifying than the space-time devouring black holes we see in movies are the real things! Hollywood hasn't come close to conveying the mind-bending reality of these behemoths. With gravity so intense that not even light can escape, they remain one of the greatest challenges for physicists trying to unify two major theories of the universe—Einstein's general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. Now, scientists in the Netherlands have created an artificial black hole in a lab, and something unexpected happened: it started glowing.

Researchers from the University of Amsterdam built a simulated black hole using a chain of atoms arranged in a single file to mimic the event horizon—the boundary beyond which nothing can return. Their goal was to study a phenomenon known as "Hawking radiation," first proposed by Stephen Hawking in 1974. But what they observed went beyond their expectations, offering a potential breakthrough in our understanding of quantum gravity.

[rebelmouse-image 56107232 expand=1 dam="1" alt="Simulation of a warped and spinning black hole." site_id=26820345 is_animated_gif=false original_size="1200x800" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/56107232/origin.jpg%22%2C%20%22thumbnails%22%3A%20%7B%22origin%22%3A%20%22https%3A//assets.rbl.ms/56107232/origin.jpg%22%2C%20%22600x300%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D600%26height%3D300%26coordinates%3D0%252C100%252C0%252C100%22%2C%20%22300x300%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D300%26height%3D300%26coordinates%3D200%252C0%252C200%252C0%22%2C%20%221000x750%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D1000%26height%3D750%26coordinates%3D66%252C0%252C67%252C0%22%2C%20%221200x800%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D1200%26height%3D800%26coordinates%3D0%252C0%252C0%252C0%22%2C%20%221200x400%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D1200%26height%3D400%26coordinates%3D0%252C200%252C0%252C200%22%2C%20%22700x1245%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D700%26height%3D1245%26coordinates%3D375%252C0%252C375%252C0%22%2C%20%2235x35%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D35%26height%3D35%22%2C%20%221500x2000%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D1500%26height%3D2000%26coordinates%3D300%252C0%252C300%252C0%22%2C%20%222000x1500%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D2000%26height%3D1500%26coordinates%3D66%252C0%252C67%252C0%22%2C%20%221245x700%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D1245%26height%3D700%26coordinates%3D0%252C62%252C0%252C63%22%2C%20%22600x400%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D600%26height%3D400%26coordinates%3D0%252C0%252C0%252C0%22%2C%20%22750x1000%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D750%26height%3D1000%26coordinates%3D300%252C0%252C300%252C0%22%2C%20%22600x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D600%22%2C%20%221200x600%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D1200%26height%3D600%26coordinates%3D0%252C100%252C0%252C100%22%2C%20%22600x600%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D600%26height%3D600%26coordinates%3D200%252C0%252C200%252C0%22%2C%20%22980x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D980%22%2C%20%22210x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D210%22%2C%20%22600x200%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D600%26height%3D200%26coordinates%3D0%252C200%252C0%252C200%22%2C%20%22300x%22%3A%20%22https%3A//trending.upworthy.com/media-library/blackhole2-jpg.jpg%3Fid%3D56107232%26width%3D300%22%7D%2C%20%22manual_image_crops%22%3A%20%7B%229x16%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22700x1245%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20800%2C%20%22width%22%3A%20450%2C%20%22left%22%3A%20375%7D%2C%20%22600x300%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22600x300%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%20100%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20600%2C%20%22width%22%3A%201200%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%7D%2C%20%223x1%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221200x400%22%2C%20%22600x200%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%20200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20400%2C%20%22width%22%3A%201200%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%7D%2C%20%223x2%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221200x800%22%2C%20%22600x400%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20800%2C%20%22width%22%3A%201200%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%7D%2C%20%221x1%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%22600x600%22%2C%20%22300x300%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20800%2C%20%22width%22%3A%20800%2C%20%22left%22%3A%20200%7D%2C%20%223x4%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221500x2000%22%2C%20%22750x1000%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20800%2C%20%22width%22%3A%20600%2C%20%22left%22%3A%20300%7D%2C%20%2216x9%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221245x700%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%2062%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20675%2C%20%22width%22%3A%201200%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%7D%2C%20%224x3%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%222000x1500%22%2C%20%221000x750%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%200%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20800%2C%20%22width%22%3A%201067%2C%20%22left%22%3A%2066%7D%2C%20%222x1%22%3A%20%7B%22sizes%22%3A%20%5B%221200x600%22%2C%20%22600x300%22%5D%2C%20%22top%22%3A%20100%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20600%2C%20%22width%22%3A%201200%2C%20%22left%22%3A%200%7D%7D%7D" pin_description="" caption="Sophisticated simulated images like this one give us a glimpse of the most powerful things known to exist in the cosmos." photo_credit_src="https://trending.upworthy.com/r/entryeditor/Yukterez,%20cc%20by-sa%204.0%20Sophisticated simulated images like this one give us a glimpse of the most powerful things known to exist in the cosmos.Yukterez


A glowing discovery

In simple terms, Hawking radiation is a type of energy that, theoretically, should be emitted by black holes due to disruptions in quantum fluctuations at the event horizon, reports Science Alert. If Hawking's theory is correct, black holes don’t last forever. Instead, they slowly evaporate over time—though in reality, this process is too faint to be observed from Earth.

via GIPHY

However, when the researchers in Amsterdam simulated this effect, something unexpected occurred. Their artificial black hole started to glow. The radiation they observed appeared only when a portion of the atomic chain extended beyond the event horizon, suggesting that quantum entanglement plays a crucial role in generating Hawking radiation.

"This can open a venue for exploring fundamental quantum-mechanical aspects alongside gravity and curved spacetimes in various condensed matter settings."

— Researchers, Physical Review Research

Why this matters

One of the biggest unsolved problems in physics is the clash between general relativity and quantum mechanics. Einstein's theory explains gravity on a cosmic scale, treating space and time as a smooth, continuous fabric. Meanwhile, quantum mechanics describes the subatomic world, where particles behave probabilistically rather than following strict rules. The problem? These two frameworks don't align when it comes to black holes.

via GIPHY

A theory of "quantum gravity"—a way to unify these two systems—remains elusive. However, black holes may hold the key. If Hawking radiation can be confirmed, it would be a step toward bridging the gap between Einstein’s smooth spacetime and the bizarre, probabilistic nature of quantum physics.

The future of black hole research

While this artificial black hole isn’t the real thing, it gives scientists a controlled way to test theories that would otherwise be impossible to study in deep space. And the fact that the simulated black hole glowed when it wasn’t expected to means there could be more to Hawking radiation than we previously thought.

Past simulations of black holes have been conducted, but this experiment marks a significant step forward. By demonstrating that quantum entanglement is involved in the radiation process, the study could provide new insights into the true nature of black holes—and even the fate of our universe.

If Hawking radiation is real, it means black holes aren’t immortal. Over billions or even trillions of years, they could slowly shrink and eventually vanish, leaving behind only radiation. The discovery of a glowing artificial black hole may be the first step toward proving that theory.

Who knows? The next breakthrough in black hole physics might not come from space—but from a lab right here on Earth.

black holesresearchbreakthroughscience

The Latest

grandparent bond, toddler video, parenting humor, early riser, viral family, cute toddler, grandpa love, family moment, parenting struggle, toddler antics, funny kids, sleep deprived, parenting hack, toddler life, RV family
Past Events

Mom was exhausted, so her toddler marched to Grandpa’s RV with a savage little note

Images from a baby name reveal.
Past Events

They picked the perfect baby name—until a movie changed everything

man in blue long sleeve shirt carrying baby in white onesie
Past Events

Hilarious dad discovers a brand-new hack for calling his daughter downstairs

Employer tries to secretly lowball job candidate and fails spectacularly
Past Events

Employer tries to secretly lowball job candidate and fails spectacularly

More For You

A young boy with a cutting edge bionic arm.

Images like this used to only come from movies, but they're becoming a reality.

via Open Bionics (used with permission)

Mom honors her loss by helping 3 children get bionic arms for Christmas

Think bionic arms are just the stuff of superhero movies? Think again. Thanks to an incredible blend of cutting-edge technology and the power of community, three children in the UK were given their new "life-changing" Hero Arms on December 12—just in time for Christmas. For Zoey Hampton-Pigeon (8), Finley Jarvis (11), and Ettie Baker (8), their new “Hero Arms” aren’t just cool gadgets—they’re life-changing miracles.

Their story is made possible by the Big Hero 3 campaign, a fundraising initiative started by mother Sarah Lockey, who launched the campaign to help families of children with missing limbs fundraise for bionic arms. This grassroots movement raised a total of £60,000 for the three children—£40,000 from the Open Bionics Foundation, The Worshipful Company of Glovers, Foresight Group, and an anonymous donor and an additional £20,000 raised collectively by the three families themselves.

Keep ReadingShow less
This throwback psychology test claims to reveal your hidden dark side
Source: REDDIT

This throwback psychology test claims to reveal your hidden dark side

There are countless personality quizzes and psychology tests claiming to reveal truths about yourself. The Szondi test, for example, shows how our understanding of mental health has evolved. Developed by Hungarian psychiatrist Léopold Szondi in 1935, the Szondi test aimed to uncover suppressed traits hidden in a person's subconscious.

The test involved looking at a series of 48 photos of people with distinct expressions on their faces. The patient was supposed to pick the friendliest faces and the unfriendliest, the idea being that a person identifies with "like" people and that their choices from the pictures would represent traits of themselves. Despite lacking scientific value, a shortened version of this test recently went viral, capturing people's interest.

Keep ReadingShow less
climate change, reforestation, drone technology, Myanmar, seed missiles, mangrove trees, Biocarbon Engineering

Drones are firing seed pods to plant forests — and it’s actually working

Technology is the single greatest contributor to climate change but it may also soon be used to offset the damage we’ve done to our planet since the Industrial Age began. In September 2018, a project in Myanmar used drones to fire “seed missiles” into remote areas of the country where trees were not growing. Less than a year later, thousands of those seed missiles have sprouted into 20-inch mangrove saplings that could literally be a case study in how technology can be used to innovate our way out of the climate change crisis.

“We now have a case confirmed of what species we can plant and in what conditions,” Irina Fedorenko, co-founder of Biocarbon Engineering, told Fast Company. “We are now ready to scale up our planting and replicate this success.”

Keep ReadingShow less
The Himalayas on a clear day.

The towering Himalayas may seem unshakable, but deep beneath them, the Earth is shifting in ways scientists never expected.

Vyacheslav Argenberg

The world’s most dangerous tectonic secret might lie under the Himalayas

The Himalayas, one of the most awe-inspiring mountain ranges on Earth, have long captured the imaginations of adventurers and scientists alike. Towering above the clouds, these colossal peaks hold not only breathtaking beauty but also crucial geological secrets. Recent research suggests something astonishing: the Indian tectonic plate—the very foundation of the Himalayas—may be splitting in two deep beneath the surface.

For millions of years, the Indian Plate has been pushing northward, colliding with the Eurasian Plate and giving rise to the Himalayas. But new findings from Stanford University geologist Simon L. Klemperer and his team indicate that this seemingly solid landmass is undergoing a dramatic transformation, one that could have significant implications for earthquakes and mountain stability in the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
A sea otter floating in a kelp bed.

Sea otters have come to the rescue on the coast of one California town.

Mike Baird from Morro Bay, USA

Otters are wiping out all the crabs. Scientists say it’s saving the coast.

It is an established scientific fact that otters are adorable. They hold hands with fellow otters as they drift atop the water and use rocks to playfully crack open clams. Hermione's patronus is a sea otter! They're also voracious eaters, consuming about a quarter of their body weight daily. That last bit led them to become ecological superheroes in one California coastal town.

At Elkhorn Slough in California, a thriving population of southern sea otters has taken on an unlikely role: invasive species exterminators. According to USA Today, the otters’ voracious appetite for European green crabs, one of the West Coast’s most destructive invasive species, has nearly wiped the crabs out in the estuary. This has helped revive a delicate ecosystem that had been struggling for decades.

European green crabs, originally from Europe as you might have guessed, arrived on the West Coast in the 1980s and quickly became a menace. Though small—just four inches across—they wreak havoc on coastal ecosystems by devouring seagrass, baby crabs, and salmon while competing with native species. They’ve also caused significant damage to multimillion-dollar shellfish industries for Dungeness and king crabs.

Keep ReadingShow less
© Copyright 2025