Scientists from the University of Sheffield have made groundbreaking progress in understanding black holes, time, and dark energy—mysteries that shape our universe.
With their immense gravitational pull that traps even light, black holes have fascinated scientists and storytellers for decades. Traditionally, black holes are thought to have a singularity at their center, where the remnants of a collapsed star form an infinitely dense point, breaking down our understanding of physics and time, as predicted by Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity.
However, new research challenges this view, suggesting that a singularity may not mark an end but a new beginning.
Using quantum mechanics, which explores the universe on an atomic scale, the study proposes that instead of a singularity, black holes transition into white holes. Unlike black holes that pull everything in, white holes are theorized to expel matter, energy, and time back into the universe.
The research introduces the concept of a planar black hole—flat rather than spherical—to simplify the model. Findings indicate that instead of a singularity, quantum fluctuations—temporary shifts in energy—occur, allowing space and time to continue and transition into a white hole. This new phase could even signify the birth of time.
Dr. Steffen Gielen, who co-authored the study, highlighted a pivotal idea: time might be measured by dark energy, the mysterious force driving the universe’s expansion. This connection between dark energy and time offers a fresh perspective on black holes and the fabric of the cosmos.
Intriguingly, the study suggests that, in theory, an entity could pass through a black hole, emerge from a white hole, and enter a new space-time phase. While abstract, this idea adds to the excitement of uncovering the true nature of black holes.
The research also explores ways to bridge gravity and quantum mechanics—an ongoing challenge in physics—potentially leading to groundbreaking theories and a deeper understanding of the universe. As these ideas evolve, they could revolutionize our grasp of time, space, and the role of dark energy in shaping everything around us.
Journal Reference:
Steffen Gielen, Lucía Menéndez-Pidal. Black Hole Singularity Resolution in Unimodular Gravity from Unitarity. Physical Review Letters, 2025; 134 (10) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.101501