Primordial Black Holes Could Be Hiding Inside Stars, Study Suggests
A new study proposes a wacky alternative explanation for the missing mass in the universe. Researchers suggest that countless primordial black holes could be hiding inside stars.
Primordial Black Holes: A Different Kind of Black Hole
While all the black holes discovered so far are the result of stellar collapse, primordial black holes are different. These black holes would have formed shortly after the Big Bang, when the universe was much more dense. They could be microscopic singularities that roam the universe, adding mass but emitting no visible light.
The mere idea of primordial black holes is speculative, and if they exist, they would be incredibly difficult to spot. Each one might be the size of a hydrogen atom with the mass of a small asteroid. However, if there are enough of them, then dark matter might not be necessary to balance the scales.
Primordial Black Holes Inside Stars
A new study led by astrophysicist Earl Bellinger suggests that primordial black holes could become trapped in stellar nurseries. Stars could form around these centers of mass, and the black hole would not immediately devour its star suit. The smallest primordial black holes would take longer than the age of the universe to consume a star, while larger ones might accomplish the job in a few hundred million years.
Astronomers have detected hundreds of low-temperature red giant stars that could potentially be harboring black holes. These so-called Hawking Stars would exhibit surface vibrations and might be detectable from Earth.
The Implications and Challenges
The study does not provide direct evidence for the existence of primordial black holes inside stars or their role in accounting for the missing mass in the universe. However, it opens up new possibilities and predictions that could change our understanding of the universe if confirmed.
Further research and observation are needed to validate and explore this alternative explanation. If proven, it would revolutionize our understanding of the universe's composition and the role of primordial black holes.
