Journey into the enigmatic depths of a black hole, with beloved physicist Carlo Rovelli.

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This talk was recorded at the Ri on 27 October 2023.

00:00 Intro
3:35 Why do black holes appear circular?
6:05 Travelling into a black hole
10:34 The space inside a black hole
18:50 The quantum properties of gravity
24:06 Loop quantum theory
27:42 Quantum jumps and white holes
32:49 Going beyond Einstein’s theory
34:46 How long does a white hole take to form?
39:51 How do we prove the white hole theory?
45:22 Dark matter and the crisis in physics
49:48 Can we detect white holes?
52:24 Science as mind travel

Step beyond the event horizon of a black hole, and descend into the infinite abyss, where geometry folds and equations tighten around us. Witness the remnants of a star, dense and distant, as we plummet further into the unknown. And at last, behold the birth of a white hole, where time and space cease to exist.

Renowned for his groundbreaking research in quantum gravity and his contributions to loop quantum gravity, a theoretical framework that seeks to reconcile general relativity and quantum mechanics, Carlo will unveil the uncertainty and exhilaration of venturing into uncharted territory.

Carlo has authored several highly influential scientific papers on loop quantum gravity, and has written several popular books that bring his research to the wider public. His book "Seven Brief Lessons on Physics" became an international bestseller, introducing readers to key concepts of modern physics.

Carlo Rovelli is an Italian theoretical physicist, philosopher and writer who has worked in Italy, the United States and, since 2000, in France. His research is focused mainly in the field of quantum gravity and is a founder of loop quantum gravity theory. Carlo is currently head of the quantum group at the Centre de Physique Theorique at Aix-Marseille University, a Distinguished Visiting Research Chair at the Perimeter Institute, and core member of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy of Western University. As a writer, Carlo became a household name after the success of his books ‘Seven Brief Lessons on Physics’ and ‘Reality is Not What It Seems’.

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This lecture was an Ri Discourse. Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks. Since 1825, audiences in the theatre have witnessed countless mind-expanding moments, including the first public liquefaction of air by James Dewar, the announcement of the electron by JJ Thomson and over 100 lectures by Michael Faraday. In more recent times, we have had Nobel laureates, Fields medal winners, scientists, authors and artists – all from the cutting-edge of their field. Discourses are an opportunity for the best and brightest to share their work with the world.

Steeped in nearly two centuries of tradition, a Discourse is more than just a lecture. To keep the focus on the topic, presenters begin sharply at 7:30pm without introduction and we lock the speaker into a room ten minutes ahead of the start (legend has it that a speaker once tried to escape!). Some of our guests dress smartly for our Discourse events to add to this sense of occasion.

Find out more about the history of the Friday Evening Discourses on our blog: https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/...

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