There are 100 billion stars in our galaxy, along with at least another 100 billion planets, all with their own unique features, and a supermassive, infinitely dense object at the center of it all. This object is called Sagittarius A. Sagittarius A is what we call a black hole. The simplest way to describe it is that it pulls in everything around it, but the science behind it is fascinating and has the potential to benefit humanity. Black holes were first theorized by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity. When a massive star collapses, its matter becomes compressed into a tiny point called a singularity. Gravity is almost infinite there, so it pulls everything toward it. Black holes are incredible phenomena, but their gravity can destroy entire solar systems. Understanding the science behind black holes is essential for advancing knowledge about the universe. First, we will look at how black holes are formed. Then we will explore the science behind them, and finally, we will examine what black holes may be like in the future and how studying them can benefit humanity.First, let us consider how black holes form. Our sun is a starting point. When the sun exhausts its fuel, it will collapse, leaving only its core. Stars with one to three solar masses, where a solar mass is the mass of our sun, collapse differently. When these stars implode, protons and electrons are compressed into neutrons, forming a dense neutron star according to NASA. For stars with more than three solar masses, the collapse is so extreme that all the mass compresses into a singularity, a small point in spacetime with nearly infinite gravity. Black holes can also form in other ways, such as the collision of two neutron stars, or through theoretical processes including quasi-stars and primordial black holes.Next, let us examine black hole classifications and how they function. Black holes are commonly found at the center of galaxies, such as Sagittarius A. A common misconception is that black holes hold galaxies together, but that role belongs to dark matter, which we know exists even though we do not yet fully understand it. Black holes can be classified into primordial black holes, stellar black holes found throughout the universe, supermassive black holes at galactic centers, and even larger black holes beyond current understanding. A black hole has three main components: the singularity, the event horizon, and sometimes an accretion disk. The singularity is the center and densest part. The event horizon marks the point of no return, meaning anything crossing it cannot escape according to Britannica. The accretion disk is a ring of gas, plasma, dust, and other material surrounding some black holes, which is important for understanding their behavior.Finally, let us consider the future of black holes and their potential benefits. Black holes will eventually dissipate, but it would take billions of billions of years for them to lose even one percent of their mass. Studying black holes can help us understand how the universe began. They provide insight into galaxy formation, such as the dwarf galaxy Henize 2-10, where a central black hole is actively creating stars according to NASA, even though black holes are often seen as destructive. In the distant future, black holes could potentially serve as energy sources for humanity. There is still much we do not know about black holes, which means there is enormous potential for scientific discovery.Black holes are extraordinary, complex, and potentially beneficial objects. We have learned how massive stars collapse to form black holes, the key components and classifications of black holes, and their locations in the universe. We have also explored their future and the ways studying them can advance human knowledge. Black holes have the potential to help humanity grow, evolve, and perhaps understand the origins of the universe itself.

 

Gianopoulos, A. “Hubble Finds a Black Hole Igniting Star Formation in a Dwarf Galaxy.” NASA. Accessed November 8, 2025. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2022/hubble-finds-a-black-hole-igniting-star-formation-in-a-dwarf-galaxyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration. “Neutron Stars.” NASA. Accessed November 8, 2025. https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/objects/neutron_stars1.html“Event Horizon.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed November 8, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/event-horizon-black-hole