From the Possibility to the Certainty of a Supermassive Black Hole - IPAM UCLA

Explore groundbreaking developments in the study of supermassive black holes through this captivating lecture by Nobel laureate Dr. Andrea M. Ghez. Delve into the UCLA Galactic Center Group's two-decade journey of high-resolution imaging that transformed the existence of a supermassive black hole at our galaxy's center from possibility to certainty. Discover how stellar orbit measurements around a galactic nucleus provided compelling evidence for these exotic cosmic entities. Uncover unexpected findings in the black hole's environment, including young stars in unlikely locations, a scarcity of old stars, and a mysterious new class of objects. Gain insights into black hole growth, their role in galactic evolution, and recent observations shedding light on gravity's behavior near these massive cosmic phenomena. Learn about cutting-edge high-resolution imaging technologies and their impact on black hole research, as Dr. Ghez shares her expertise in observational astrophysics and the fascinating discoveries made at the Galactic Center.