Black Holes: A Journey into the Extreme Universe *In-Person* *NEW*

What would it be like to watch time slow down, see a star torn apart by gravity, or peer into a region of space from which nothing can escape? Black holes are among the most powerful objects in the universe — regions where gravity becomes so powerful that not even light can escape. Once thought to be a curious prediction of Einstein's theory of relativity, black holes are now known to play a central role in the life cycles of stars and the evolution of galaxies. In this course, we will explore how black holes form, how astronomers detect and study them, and what makes them some of the most fascinating laboratories for testing the laws of physics. From the black holes born in the deaths of massive stars to the behemoth black holes lurking at the centers of galaxies, we will examine the diverse population of black holes found throughout the cosmos. Along the way, we will investigate real astronomical observations from some of the world's most powerful telescopes, explore simulations that reveal bizarre behavior of light and matter near a black hole, and learn how scientists captured the first image of a black hole and detected the ripples in space-time produced when black holes collide. No mathematics or prior scientific background is required! Instructor: Swati Ravi