A kugelblitz () is a theoretical astrophysical object predicted by

general relativity General relativity, also known as the general theory of relativity, and as Einstein's theory of gravity, is the differential geometry, geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1915 and is the current description of grav ...

. It is a concentration of

heat In thermodynamics, heat is energy in transfer between a thermodynamic system and its surroundings by such mechanisms as thermal conduction, electromagnetic radiation, and friction, which are microscopic in nature, involving sub-atomic, ato ...

light Light, visible light, or visible radiation is electromagnetic radiation that can be visual perception, perceived by the human eye. Visible light spans the visible spectrum and is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400– ...

radiation In physics, radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or a material medium. This includes: * ''electromagnetic radiation'' consisting of photons, such as radio waves, microwaves, infr ...

so intense that its energy forms an

event horizon In astrophysics, an event horizon is a boundary beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer. Wolfgang Rindler coined the term in the 1950s. In 1784, John Michell proposed that gravity can be strong enough in the vicinity of massive c ...

and becomes self-trapped. In other words, if enough

is aimed into a region of space, the concentration of energy can warp

spacetime In physics, spacetime, also called the space-time continuum, is a mathematical model that fuses the three dimensions of space and the one dimension of time into a single four-dimensional continuum. Spacetime diagrams are useful in visualiz ...

so much that it creates a

black hole A black hole is a massive, compact astronomical object so dense that its gravity prevents anything from escaping, even light. Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will form a black hole. Th ...

. This would be a black hole the original mass–energy of which was in the form of

radiant energy In physics, and in particular as measured by radiometry, radiant energy is the energy of electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic and gravitational radiation. As energy, its SI unit is the joule (J). The quantity of radiant energy may be calcul ...

rather than matter; however, there is currently no uniformly accepted method of distinguishing black holes by origin. (See the no-hair theorem.)

John Archibald Wheeler John Archibald Wheeler (July 9, 1911April 13, 2008) was an American theoretical physicist. He was largely responsible for reviving interest in general relativity in the United States after World War II. Wheeler also worked with Niels Bohr to e ...

's 1955 '' Physical Review'' paper entitled " Geons" refers to the kugelblitz phenomenon and explores the idea of creating such particles (or toy models of particles) from

curvature. A study published in ''

Physical Review Letters ''Physical Review Letters'' (''PRL''), established in 1958, is a peer-reviewed, scientific journal that is published 52 times per year by the American Physical Society. The journal is considered one of the most prestigious in the field of physics ...

'' in 2024 argues that the formation of a kugelblitz is impossible due to dissipative quantum effects like vacuum polarization, which prevent sufficient energy buildup to create an event horizon. The study concludes that such a phenomenon cannot occur in any realistic scenario within our universe. The kugelblitz phenomenon has been considered a possible basis for interstellar engines (drives) for future black hole starships.

In fiction

* A kugelblitz is a major plot point in the third season of the American superhero television series ''The Umbrella Academy'' (2019–2024). * A kugelblitz is the home of a major faction in the '' Heechee Saga'' (1972-2004) by

Frederik Pohl Frederik George Pohl Jr. (; November 26, 1919 – September 2, 2013) was an American list of science fiction authors, science-fiction writer, editor, and science fiction fandom, fan, with a career spanning nearly 75 years—from his first ...

References

Black holes General relativity Light {{black-hole-stub

In fiction

See also

References