New Books in Science James Trefil and Shobita Satyapal, "Supermassive: Black Holes at the Beginning and End of the Universe" (Smithsonian Books, 2025)
Nov 7, 2025
Shobita Satyapal, a physics and astronomy professor at George Mason University, dives into the world of black holes alongside physicist James Trefil. They explore the fascinating history of black holes, from Einstein's initial theories to modern discoveries using the James Webb Space Telescope. Satyapal discusses the enigmatic connection between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies, the mechanisms of black hole formation, and the implications of recent cosmic discoveries. The conversation also touches on black holes in science fiction and the future of black hole research.
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Jansky's Potato-Farm Radio Discovery
- Carl Jansky discovered a mysterious radio hiss coming from Sagittarius while investigating transatlantic interference.
- That signal was the first extragalactic radio detection linked later to a black hole at our galaxy's center.
See Through Dust With Infrared And AO
- Use infrared observations and adaptive optics to penetrate dust and resolve galactic centers.
- Create artificial guide stars with lasers to correct atmospheric blur and reveal stellar motions near black holes.
Measuring Masses And Imaging Shadows
- Masses of black holes are inferred from motions of nearby stars or broadened spectral lines of gas.
- The Event Horizon Telescope combined dishes worldwide to produce direct images of black hole shadows at planet-sized resolution.
