HC241H - Black Holes: From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Professor: Jesse Feddersen

4.00 credits

  • CRN 22394: Monday & Wednesday, 2:00-3:20pm @ LIB 042
  • CRN22392: Monday & Wednesday, 10:00-11:20am @ CHA 202

In 1971, a mysterious source of X-rays was discovered in the sky. In 1975, the physicist Stephen Hawking made a bet that this object would not turn out to be a black hole. Fast forward 50 years, and the existence of black holes has been firmly established.  In this class, we’ll explore how astronomers “see” black holes, the strange nature of space and time around them, and how they have captured the imaginations of science fiction authors and Hollywood directors.