Studying the Singularity: the Singularity at the Center of a Black

Essay

Studying the Singularity: The singularity at the center of a black hole is predicted to be a region of zero volume and infinite density that contains all of the black hole's mass. It is a point at which all currently known physical laws break down. Yet in a black hole, this "terrible point" is hidden from view behind an event horizon that prevents any knowledge about the singularity reaching the outside universe. Astronomers continue to spend considerable effort trying to understand the nature of these singularities, objects for which observational input, it would seem, will be forever lacking? Are these astronomers practicing science? Argue both yes and no. Which do you find convincing?