This physicist is hunting for the biggest black hole in the universe
Astronomers have recently started looking for black holes bigger than galaxies. Brian Lacki explains how these “stupendously large black holes” might be used by alien civilisations, and what makes the
Astronomers have recently started looking for black holes bigger than galaxies. Brian Lacki explains how these “stupendously large black holes” might
Read Full Story at New Scientist →Why This Matters
The search for stupendously large black holes isn’t just a cosmic curiosity—it could redefine our understanding of physics and the limits of the universe. If confirmed, these behemoths might challenge Einstein’s general relativity or reveal new physics beyond the Standard Model, forcing a rewrite of fundamental theories.
Background Context
While supermassive black holes (millions to billions of solar masses) are well-documented at galactic centers, the theoretical existence of SLABs—stupendously large black holes exceeding 100 billion solar masses—remains unproven. Their detection would require extreme conditions, possibly linked to primordial origins or exotic formation mechanisms.
What Happens Next
Upcoming gravitational wave detectors like LISA could indirectly detect SLABs by their unique merger signatures, while next-gen telescopes may spot their gravitational lensing effects on distant galaxies. The hunt also raises ethical questions: if such entities exist, could they be harnessed as energy sources by advanced civilizations?
Bigger Picture
This pursuit reflects a broader shift in astronomy toward "mega-structures" and extreme physics, mirroring the search for Dyson spheres or quark stars. It underscores humanity’s growing ambition to probe the universe’s most violent and mysterious phenomena, blurring the line between discovery and speculation.
