Lecture series in the planetarium at the Garching research campus
ESO Supernova: Kosmisches Kino
Event location
Campus Garching
Public event
Target audience
publically
Presenter
Catarina Aydar
In this Kosmisches Kino, Catarina Aydar from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) will take us on a journey to the supermassive black holes. She will show us what they are and tell us about their most beautiful secrets.
This event is in English.
Black holes are mathematical objects. They appear in the formulas of general relativity as zeros and infinities, illustrating one thing above all: mathematics goes haywire there. Albert Einstein thought it must be a mistake and that black holes "do not exist in physical reality." But black holes are more than bizarre mathematical solutions; they are real and responsible for some of the most energetic events in the Universe.
Astronomers have already observed millions of black holes. Indirectly, because black holes can only be located by their gravitational effect on stellar orbits or gas in their vicinity. One of the most surprising findings is that black holes are essential for understanding the evolution of the Universe. But what are black holes? How do they form? How big can they get? How do they live? Can they also die? Where is the next supermassive black hole? Will we fall into it at some point? What happens inside a black hole? – And: do scientists know all the answers to these questions?
Further Events
- August – summer break
- 11.09.2025, 7 pm – Dr. Francesca Capel (MPP) about cosmic particles
- 09.10.2025, 7 pm – Dr. David Cont (LMU) about exoplanets
- 13.11.2025, 7 pm – Dr. Asmita Bhandare (LMU) about TBA
- 11.12.2025, 7 pm – Sophie Vogt (LMU) about TBA
Additional information
How to find us
- Location: Planetarium of the ESO Supernova, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 2, 85748 Garching
- GPS coordinates: 48° 15' 36.90" N; 11° 40' 15.16" E
The ESO Supernova Planetarium & Visitor Center is located 2 km northeast of Garching and 15 km northeast of Munich on the grounds of the research center.
