Department of Physics and Astronomy

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM

Dr. Francesca Vidotto

Departments of Applied Mathematics and Philosophy
Western University

“White holes: The bright side of black holes”

ABSTRACT

We live in a tremendous moment for black-hole physics: this year the first picture of a black-hole shadow was taken, and we are detecting more and more gravitational waves coming from the merging of binary black holes. But when we extract the black-hole solution from Einstein's equations, we also find the time-reversed solution: a white hole. White holes have been deemed as non-physical and ignored for long time, yet acknowledging the possibility of their existence may help to solve some long-standing problems in the physics of black holes. In this colloquium we will discuss what white holes are, how black holes can create them, and how this could have implications for understanding dark matter.

STUDENTS – after the talk, you’re encouraged to return to the 2nd floor Atrium lounge to meet with the speaker.

COFFEE – coffee and cookies will be available in the 2nd floor Atrium lounge at 1:15 p.m.

CELL PHONES – as a courtesy to the speaker and audience, please set your cellphones to “silent” mode. Thanks!