Subscribe now

Space

‘Islands’ poking out of black holes may solve the information paradox

Measuring “entanglement islands” that contain copies of information that black holes have lost could help us find an answer to Stephen Hawking’s black hole paradox

By Alex Wilkins

9 January 2024

A black hole in space

Nothing escapes a black hole’s immense gravity, but it may still be possible to detect what is going on in one

Science Lab/Alamy

We may be able to find out what happens to matter that falls into a black hole, something previously thought impossible. This is because some parts of a black hole’s interior, called “islands”, may actually poke far enough outside the hole for us to measure them. If we can do this, then Stephen Hawking’s long-standing black hole paradox might finally be resolved.

In the 1970s, Stephen Hawking realised…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account