Bishop’s University

“Black hole event horizons are cosmologically coupled” says Bishop’s physicist

“Black hole event horizons are cosmologically coupled” is a study which presents a theoretical discovery in the field of astrophysics and cosmology. Published by Bishop’s University physicist Dr. Valerio Faraoni and physicist Massimiliano Rinaldi in Physical Review D in 2024, this research challenges our understanding of black holes and their relationship with the expanding universe. 

Dr. Valerio Faraoni, a man with glasses and a button-up shirt, speaks to a group off-camera.
Dr. Valerio Faraoni

The black hole event horizon marks the point beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape. However, the cosmological horizon is related to the expansion of the universe and represents the furthest distance from which light can reach an observer. The study reveals that a stationary, spherically symmetric black hole has an event horizon which cannot exist in a universe that is changing over time.  When attempting to force a change in the normal development process, results showed a “naked null singularity” at the location where the event horizon should be. This finding has reflective implications; black holes must be connected to cosmic expansion. Therefore, growth of supermassive black holes in galaxies might be linked to the universe’s expansion. This discovery could provide new insights into the dark energy puzzle. 

This research suggests that black holes are not isolated objects, and instead are intimately connected to the fabric of the expanding universe. It challenges the traditional view of black holes as static entities and proposes a more dynamic relationship between these cosmic giants and their surroundings. The idea that black holes might grow along with the expanding universe offers a potential explanation for the existence of supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies. This growth mechanism could help solve the mystery of how these enormous black holes formed in the relatively short time since the Big Bang. 

Furthermore, this coupling between black holes and cosmic expansion might provide new ways for investigating dark energy, which is the mysterious force driving the accelerating expansion of the universe. 
This paper presents a paradigm shift in our understanding of black holes, suggesting they are not just passive objects in space but are instead active participants in the cosmic dance of expansion, with far-reaching consequences for our understanding of the universe’s structure and evolution. 

For more information about the paper, please read more here: Phys. Rev. D 110, 063553 (2024) – Black hole event horizons are cosmologically coupled

-30-

Joannie St-Germain M.Sc. (she/her/elle) 

RESEARCH OFFICER 

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES 

819-822-9600 x 2242 

Similar Posts