Scientists at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, say there is a 90% chance of witnessing an exploding black hole within the next decade. Such an event could transform our understanding of the universe, especially hidden forces like dark matter.
The study, published in Physical Review Letters, suggests that the explosion may provide the first evidence of “primordial black holes” (PBHs). The late Stephen Hawking first proposed PBHs in 1970, believing they might have formed seconds after the Big Bang. Researchers think these ancient black holes may have seeded today’s supermassive black holes or are now reaching the end of their lives.
Michael Baker, assistant professor at UMass Amherst and co-author of the study, explained: “We’re not saying it will definitely happen, but there is a 90% chance. Since we already have the technology to observe, we must be prepared.”
The research team developed a “dark-charge” model, suggesting PBHs could carry a tiny electrical charge unlike standard black holes. This charge might temporarily stabilize them before their final explosion. The model predicts a PBH explosion roughly once every 10 years, compared to the earlier estimate of once every 100,000 years.
If detected, such an explosion could rewrite cosmic history and unlock secrets about dark matter.
