Abstract
For the first time in history, we have captured images of black holes, allowing us to study their event horizons—the very boundaries beyond which nothing escapes. This achievement, realized through the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), was the result of two decades of innovation, collaboration, and technological advancements. By linking radio telescopes across the globe, we created an Earth-sized observatory capable of resolving the shadows cast by supermassive black holes.
These images have confirmed Einstein’s predictions, tested gravity in extreme conditions, and provided unprecedented insights into black hole physics. But this is just the beginning. Future advancements in imaging techniques, additional telescopes, and space-based interferometry will sharpen our view and allow us to explore black holes across the universe. As we push the boundaries of observation, we will uncover even more mysteries about these enigmatic cosmic giants and their role in shaping galaxies.
About the Speaker
Prof. Feryal Özel is an astrophysicist specializing in black holes and neutron stars. She is the Chair and Professor at Georgia Tech’s School of Physics. Özel earned her PhD from Harvard, was a NASA Hubble Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study, and served as a Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Arizona until 2022. A founding member of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration, she led the announcement of the first image of the Milky Way’s central black hole. She chaired NASA’s Lynx X-ray Observatory study and NASA’s Astrophysics Advisory Committee. Özel is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and has received numerous honors, including the Maria Goeppert Mayer Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, and Oppenheimer Lectureship. With the EHT, she won the Breakthrough Prize in Physics and NSF’s Diamond Achievement Award. She also received the Rossi Prize twice, with EHT (2020) and NICER (2022). Özel serves on numerous advisory boards and has contributed to documentaries on PBS, CNN, BBC, and the History Channel.