A revolutionary new theory suggests that this cosmos does not consist of black holes as we have known them. Such concepts may actually help explain some of its most enduring mysteries. This article discusses the so-called ‘frozen star’ model and its consequences for the understanding of these objects including a possible way out from the Hawking radiation paradox, which has baffled scientists for centuries.
Instead of the classical approach, a fundamentally appropriate way to understand black holes is required
For decades now, we have held an orthodox approach to the pursuit of understanding these brilliant astrophysical giants – the so-called classical black hole model. This in particular model of a black hole comprises two fundamental features: singularity at which all mass collapses into, and an event horizon, a point beyond which no matter, not even radiating light comes out.
Nevertheless, this model has been beset by an important dilemma for a long time and this is the introduction of quantum mechanics, which brings forth a paradox of Hawking radiation. This, as the name suggests, is a paradoxical situation whereby the black hole is said to produce energy through its border known as an event horizon as detailed by the late Stephen Hawking; however that energy contains no information regarding the black hole. Such directly contradicts a basic law of physics and of course common sense which states that information cannot be created or destroyed.
The Alternative: Frozen Star
Enter the ‘frozen star’ theory, a radical departure that annoyingly proposes an alternative view for the concept of a black hole. In keeping with this version vis-a-vis black holes, it can be assumed that these are not the ‘simpler or simpler’ structures, as postulated by Einstein’s theories. Rather, these might be outlandish things called ‘frozen stars’.
In a recent frozen star theory, a group of physicists headed by Roni Brustein from Ben-Gurion University in Israel claims that the frozen stars in question are not exactly classical black holes. Rather than the traditional black holes, however, the central singularity which is assumed to be the limit of black holes does not appear in frozen stars. This solves another riddle for the crisis in our current paradigms regarding black holes, and that is: how does a black hole universe incorporate infinities and paradoxically still make sense?
In addition, frozen stars may also lack a horizon in the black hole sense of the term which is the cross section beyond which nothing can deteriorate. This may sound very scientific but, as I say more of it shortly, this may change the context in which the Hawking radiation emanating from these frozen stars would be viewed.
Conclusion
The frozen star concept offers a compelling avenue for addressing the issues that have dogged conventional black holes for too long. By taking the fight to the traditional model and coming up with an alternative that has many elements of quantum mechanics, this groundbreaking idea creates new horizons to be investigated within astrophysics. As more work is done on comprehending the internal structure and dynamics of these ‘frozen stars’, the potential benefits to our comprehension of the universe are therefore phenomenal. The race to find the truth behind black hole formation and their complexities is still very much in progress, and perhaps, the frozen star theory will be the answer that will crack the case to a number of black hole clever conundrums.
