Black holes are like nothing else in the Universe. They are astronomical objects with gravity so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape, and any ordinary matter that crosses their boundary, the event horizon, is crushed to unimaginable density at their centres.
They form when massive stars collapse and are key players in shaping galaxies and the wider universe. Scientists study how matter falls into black holes, how this fuels powerful jets that carry energy away, and how these extreme environments test the limits of physics and our understanding of space, time, and gravity.
This event begins with a very brief introduction from a panel of leading experts working on these questions and will then open the floor to audience questions. These experts are uniquely in Oxford from across the world for an international meeting on research into black holes.
Whether you’re curious about what black holes are, how we observe them, or what mysteries remain, come along to find out more.