Physical concept · Astrophysics
Hawking Radiation
Cosmology & UniverseActive Research
Definition
Faint thermal radiation predicted to be emitted by black holes due to quantum effects at the horizon.
Scientific overview
In 1974 Stephen Hawking showed that quantum effects near the event horizon should cause black holes to slowly radiate and, over immense timescales, evaporate. This links gravity, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics — and raises the still-unresolved black-hole information paradox.
Open questions
- Can Hawking radiation ever be observed?
- How is information preserved when a black hole evaporates?
Rests on
Related scientists
Related topics
Knowledge connections
- Related toQuantum Gravity
- Depends onQuantum Gravity
- Depends onEntropy & the Arrow of Time
- Related toBlack Hole
- Depends onGeneral Relativity
- Studied byStephen Hawking
- Related toEntropy & the Arrow of Time
- Associated withQuantum Tunneling
Sources & references
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.