There is a theory that a black hole is a place in space where the force of gravity is so strong that not even light can escape from it. Most of the articles you read about black holes are written by people who haven’t actually seen one but are quite prepared to accept the explanation of anyone with a bit of knowledge about astronomy and physics. Who can say for certain that black holes exist?
For centuries people were told that the Earth was flat and were quite happy to believe it. Heaven was up. Hell was down. You lived in between and only a fool would sail over the edge. These days we are told that there are black holes in space. Black holes have not been proved. If space is black and presumably black holes are black how is one expected to see them? Imagine a conversation between Captain Kirk and Spock.
Spock to Kirk
” Jim,” something is pulling this ship off course.
Kirk to Spock
” Sorry Spock I forgot to tell you. I”ve taken the Enterprise off Cruise control for the moment. There’s a planet close by that’s opened up a new Maccas and I’m dying to try one of their new burgers.”
Spock to Kirk
” Jim while you were daydreaming about the burger I hit the reset button. You’re too fat anyway. No, Jim. Something is pulling the ship off course.”
Kirk to Spock
” What is your considered opinion, Spock?”
Spock to Kirk
“I think we’re being pulled into a black hole.”
Kirk to Spock
” I read about that somewhere, Spock. Back in ancient history people were thrown into a prison in India. Calcutta, I think.”
Spock to Kirk
“If I was was allowed to show emotion Jim I’d smack you across the mouth for ad libbing. Stick to the script . It tells you what to do.”
Kirk to Scotty
” Give me full power and nevermind telling me you’ve given me all you’ve got.”
Scotty to Kirk
” Jim you won at cards last night. I’ve already given you all I’ve got.”
Spock to Kirk
” Everyone’s a comedian. How come I never get any lines like that? “
Kirk to Scotty
” I meant the engines you idiot. Full thrust and don’t make a joke of that either.”
Kirk to Spock
” How do you know it’s a black hole, Spock? If it’s a black hole we wouldn’t be able to see it would we? “
Spock to Kirk.
“Jim believe me it’s a black hole. The gravational pull sucks everything in .”
Kirk to Spock
” Back on Eartth, Spock I was married once then divorced. The wife was like a black hole at the settlement. I lost everything.”
Spock to Kirk
” I can’t stand this anymore.”
Spock to Scotty
” All engines off”
Scotty to Spock
” Does this mean no more Star Trek?”
Spock to Scotty
“Don’t really know. I think I get to play the old Spock when they make Strar Trek the movie.”
Kirk to Spock
” Do I get a part?”
Spock to Kirk
” Yes Jim. Fortunately you get killed very early in the movie I believe.”
Space travel is years away, centuries even if indeed at all. Until spacecraft ventured out into space and one spacecraft actually sees another spacecraft being drawn into a black hole thereby proving beyond all doubt that these black holes exist then no one will ever know for certain.
There seems to be no point at present expounding on black holes as if they exist as fact. All you are doing is repeating what you have been led to believe. You could be proved wrong and be in the same position of those learned people in the past who stated emphatically,
“The Earth is flat. I read about it in Science Illustrated.”
