How To Use a Black Hole To See Your Past

How To Use a Black Hole To See Your Past

From The Rest Is Science by Goalhanger

May 4, 2026 · 52 min · Season 1 · Episode 48

About this episode

Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore how light might carry a record of the past and the implications of using black holes to observe history.

What if the universe is recording everything you’ve ever seen and done? In this episode, Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explore the idea that light itself might carry a record of the past. And if it did, how could we watch history unfold by capturing it. Could a perfectly placed mirror or even a black hole bend that ancient light back to us? Could we watch the pyramids being built, or hear Einstein’s final words? From a nano-second old reflection in a mirror to the photons drifting through billions of miles of space, they reveal how everything we see is already gone, and uncover surprising truths about time, perception, and our own DNA. ------------------- For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://cancerresearchuk.org/restisscience⁠⁠ Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. ------------------- Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by…

People in this episode

Hosts: Hannah Fry, Michael Stevens

Topics covered

  • black holes
  • light
  • time
  • perception
  • history
  • DNA

Keywords

  • black hole
  • light
  • history
  • time
  • perception
  • photons
  • DNA

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cancer Research UK, Goalhanger

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