Radiolab – Little Black Holes Everywhere

Intro

In the “Little Black Holes Everywhere” episode of Radiolab, the hosts explore the Tunguska event of 1908, a mysterious explosion that flattened 800 square miles of land in Russia. Despite extensive research, the cause of the explosion remains a mystery. The episode also delves into the concept of primordial black holes and their potential role in events like the Tunguska explosion. Additionally, the hosts discuss the existence of little black holes and their fascinating properties.

Main Takeaways

Tunguska Event and Its Mystery

• In 1908, a mysterious explosion occurred in a remote part of Russia known as the Tunguska event.
• The explosion flattened 800 square miles of forest, but only 0-3 people were killed due to the remote location.
• Scientists believed it was caused by an asteroid, but no evidence of space rock was found in the area.
• The Tunguska event is still considered the largest impact event in recorded human history.
• The cause of the explosion remains a mystery to this day.

Primordial Black Holes and Their Role

• Primordial black holes (PBHs) are tiny black holes that were created during the Big Bang.
• These PBHs have been spinning through the universe and devouring stars, planets, and other black holes.
• Over time, as the universe expands and space becomes emptier, PBHs can shrink down to the size of an atom.
• PBHs are un-tethered and can cross the orbits of other objects, including planets like Earth.
• PBHs could potentially explain events like the Tunguska explosion, where there is a lack of physical evidence.

Little Black Holes and Their Properties

• Little black holes are everywhere, and scientists have found evidence to support their existence.
• Atoms are mostly empty space, so passing through the nucleus would not cause harm, but a head-on collision with a quark might hurt.
• Most black holes generally have a best friend, which is a star that orbits around it.
• The black hole’s gravity pulls on the star and it makes the star wobble.
• Scientists can measure the wobbling of the star to determine the mass of the black hole.

Summary

The Tunguska Event and Primordial Black Holes

The Tunguska event of 1908 remains a mystery, with no concrete evidence of its cause. However, scientists have proposed the idea that it could have been caused by a primordial black hole (PBH). PBHs are tiny black holes created during the Big Bang, and over time, they can shrink down to the size of an atom. These un-tethered PBHs can cross the orbits of other objects, potentially explaining events like the Tunguska explosion. The lack of physical evidence from the explosion continues to baffle scientists and inspire theories.

The Existence and Properties of Little Black Holes

Research suggests that little black holes are present throughout the universe. These small black holes can pass through objects like atoms without causing harm, as atoms are mostly empty space. Most black holes have a best friend, which is a star that orbits around it. Scientists can measure the wobbling of the star to determine the mass of the black hole. The properties of little black holes and their interactions with other celestial bodies provide insights into the nature of these mysterious entities.

Conclusion

The “Little Black Holes Everywhere” episode of Radiolab takes listeners on a journey through the enigmatic Tunguska event and explores the fascinating concept of primordial black holes. It also sheds light on the existence and properties of little black holes. The episode leaves us with a sense of awe and curiosity about the mysteries of the universe and the potential role of black holes in shaping cosmic events.