Black Holes: From Math to Reality

Black holes have become one of the most important objects in contemporary physics research. They serve as a benchmark for the foundational theoretical framework of general relativity, a testing ground for prevailing ideas in astrophysics, and a tool for probing the evolution of the universe. In this essay, we will explore the central ideas in the history of black hole physics, beginning with Michell’s concept of dark stars in the late 1700s, moving through Schwarzschild’s first mathematical solution in 1916, and culminating in our current understanding of black holes. From an observational perspective, we will trace how the study of the central region of our galaxy provided early indications of black holes, leading to the undeniable evidence of their existence with the detection of gravitational waves in 2015. Finally, we will present some of the theoretical and observational challenges that remain to be addressed in the years to come.