| | [[Image:Iu8969hu.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Artist's conception of a binary system consisting of a black hole and a main sequence star. The black hole is drawing matter from the main sequence star via an [[accretion disk]] around it, and some of this matter forms a gas jet.]] | | [[Image:Iu8969hu.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Artist's conception of a binary system consisting of a black hole and a main sequence star. The black hole is drawing matter from the main sequence star via an [[accretion disk]] around it, and some of this matter forms a gas jet.]] |
| − | A '''black hole''' is a theoretical prediction of the [[theory of relativity]]. As with the related theoretical concept of a "wormhole",<ref>The prediction of the existence of wormholes, and its naming in 1957, predates the prediction and naming (1967) of a black hole.[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/science/14wheeler.html?pagewanted=print]</ref> it is impossible to prove that a black hole does not exist, and thus it fails the [[falsifiability]] requirement of science. Nevertheless, the theoretical black hole has become an increasingly popular topic for magazines, the science page of the [[New York Times]], and science fiction. | + | A '''black hole''' is a theoretical prediction of the [[theory of relativity]]. As with the related theoretical concept of a "[[wormhole]]",<ref>The prediction of the existence of wormholes, and its naming in 1957, predates the prediction and naming (1967) of a black hole.[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/science/14wheeler.html?pagewanted=print]</ref> it is impossible to prove that a black hole does not exist, and thus it fails the [[falsifiability]] requirement of science. Nevertheless, the theoretical black hole has become an increasingly popular topic for magazines, the science page of the [[New York Times]], and science fiction. |
| − | Support and interest in black holes has grown over time. [[Albert Einstein]] and [[Arthur Eddington]], the two most prominent scientists associated with the [[theory of relativity]], rejected the suggestion that black holes exist.<ref>http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/blackholes/lesson/whatisit/history.html</ref> Today black holes are frequently depicted on the covers of science magazines. | + | Support and interest in black holes has grown over time. [[Albert Einstein]] and [[Arthur Eddington]], the two most prominent scientists associated with the [[theory of relativity]], rejected the suggestion that black holes exist.<ref>http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/blackholes/lesson/whatisit/history.html</ref> [[Karl Schwarzschild]], whose name is given to the radius of black holes, developed the theory for them but likewise rejected the possibility that they physically exist. Yet today black holes are frequently depicted on the covers of science magazines. |