Astrophysicist Cosimo Bambi from Fudan University in China has proposed an ambitious mission to send a spacecraft to study a black hole. This endeavor aims to deepen our understanding of these enigmatic cosmic entities, which are notoriously difficult to observe due to their lack of emitted light. Instead, scientists typically study black holes by examining their gravitational effects on surrounding space.
Bambi’s proposal, reported by ScienceAlert, suggests that an interstellar mission to the nearest black hole could be feasible. He notes, “I was looking for some completely new way to study black holes… and I realized that an interstellar mission to the closest black hole is not unrealistic – but nobody had ever proposed it.”
Exploring the Unknowns of Black Holes
Black holes possess the strongest gravitational fields in the universe, creating environments that challenge our understanding of general relativity. While scientists have gathered significant information about black holes, the extent of what remains unknown far surpasses what is established. Bambi emphasizes that a probe orbiting a black hole could conduct tests and measurements currently impossible from Earth.
He remarked, “We do not know the structure of a black hole, namely of the region inside the event horizon. General relativity makes clear predictions, but some of them are certainly incorrect. Black holes are therefore ideal laboratories to find possible deviations from the predictions of general relativity.”
Bambi’s mission proposal outlines the practicalities of such an exploration. He identifies two primary challenges: selecting a suitable black hole and developing the necessary technology. This mission is a long-term goal, as current technology is inadequate for such an expedition, which would require several decades of travel time.
Identifying a Target and Developing Technology
The closest known black hole is located approximately 1,565 light-years from Earth. Bambi suggests that there may be undiscovered black holes much nearer, potentially within 20 to 25 light-years. These celestial bodies could be harder to detect if they are inactive and not interacting with their environment. Nonetheless, advancements in astronomical techniques may allow scientists to identify these elusive black holes in the coming decade.
“I think we just need to be ‘lucky’ and have a black hole within 20 to 25 light-years,” Bambi explained. “If there is a black hole within that range, we can develop the technology for such a mission. If it is not within that distance but still within 40 to 50 light-years, the technological requirements become more challenging. Beyond that, we may have to abandon the idea.”
To undertake this journey, a spacecraft capable of traveling at up to one-third the speed of light would be necessary. This craft could initially be powered by Earth-based lasers, transitioning to solar or stellar power as it approaches its target—an estimated travel time of around 70 years.
Bambi proposes that multiple probes may be the most effective approach. “Generally speaking, we need the probe to get as close as possible to the black hole, then it separates into a main probe (mothership) and many small probes. If these probes can communicate with each other through the exchange of electromagnetic signals, we can determine their exact trajectories around the black hole and how electromagnetic signals propagate around it.”
Data transmitted back to Earth would travel at light speed, adding another 20 years to the mission duration if the black hole is within 20 light-years. This results in a total mission timeline of approximately a century, a significant investment of time and resources.
Bambi is optimistic about the potential outcomes of such a mission. “I would hope to observe deviations from the predictions of general relativity and some clues to develop a theory beyond general relativity,” he stated.
In his concluding remarks, he acknowledged the ambitious nature of the proposal, likening it to science fiction. “It may sound really crazy… People said we’d never detect gravitational waves because they’re too weak. We did – 100 years later. People thought we’d never observe the shadows of black holes. Now, 50 years later, we have images of two.”
This proposal has been published in the journal iScience, marking a significant step forward in the quest to unlock the mysteries of black holes. The exploration of these cosmic phenomena could reshape our understanding of the universe and the fundamental laws that govern it.
