Are Black Holes Dark Matter?

About this episode

David Kaiser discusses the hypothesis of primordial black holes as a potential solution to the dark matter mystery.

David Kaiser thinks tiny black holes from the dawn of time could be the solution to the dark matter puzzle. David joins Hakeem to discuss primordial black holes, tiny objects that may have formed in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang. First proposed by Stephen Hawking more than 50 years ago, this hypothesis requires no new physics and no new particles, making it one of the most grounded ideas currently on the table… and one that may solve more than one cosmic mystery. David explains what these primordial black holes are, why many in the physics community are returning to this decades-old idea, and how it could potentially solve the dark matter mystery. Make sure to subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Learn more about NOVA and visit YouTube channel. -------------------------- Guest Bio: David Kaiser is a professor of physics and the history of science at MIT. His research spans the history of modern physics, cosmology, and the foundations of quantum theory. He is the author of several books, including How the Hippies Saved Physics, and is a frequent contributor to public conversations about science and its history.

People in this episode

Host: Hakeem

Guest: David Kaiser

Topics covered

• black holes
• dark matter
• cosmology
• Big Bang
• physics

Keywords

• black holes
• dark matter
• primordial black holes
• Big Bang
• Stephen Hawking
• cosmic mystery
• physics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MIT

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