Primordial Black Holes: Could Spacetime Form BHs?

In summary, the possibility of primordial black holes seeding the first galaxies has been a long-standing idea, but it is difficult to test. The suggestion that these black holes could have been formed from spacetime that never expanded below the critical threshold for black hole formation and captured in areas of higher density due to quantum jitters aligns with current theories. Another possibility is that these black holes could have survived a previous cosmic cycle.
  • #1
PaulMurphy
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Could the primordial black holes that seeded the first galaxies have been formed from spacetime that never expanded below the critical threshold for black hole formation? If quantum jitters caused the variation in densities seen in the cosmic background radiation, could islands of higher density have been caught above the critical black hole forming density just as the rest of spacetime expanded enough to be too rarified for black hole formation?
 
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  • #2
PaulMurphy said:
Could the primordial black holes that seeded the first galaxies have been formed from spacetime that never expanded below the critical threshold for black hole formation? If quantum jitters caused the variation in densities seen in the cosmic background radiation, could islands of higher density have been caught above the critical black hole forming density just as the rest of spacetime expanded enough to be too rarified for black hole formation?

The idea that PBHs seeded the galaxies has been around for a long time, but it's still speculative and hard to derive an observational test for. As for the scenario you suggest that's exactly how PBHs were believed to have formed. Alternatively black holes might survive a Big Crunch/Bounce and come from a previous cosmic cycle.
 

1. What are primordial black holes?

Primordial black holes are hypothetical objects that are thought to have formed in the early universe, shortly after the Big Bang. Unlike the more common stellar black holes, which form from the gravitational collapse of massive stars, primordial black holes are believed to have formed from fluctuations in the density of matter in the early universe.

2. How are primordial black holes different from other black holes?

Primordial black holes are different from other black holes in several ways. First, they are much smaller, with masses ranging from a few grams to several solar masses. They are also thought to have formed much earlier in the history of the universe. Additionally, unlike stellar black holes which are surrounded by accretion disks and emit radiation, primordial black holes are expected to be invisible as they do not have any surrounding matter.

3. Can primordial black holes really exist?

While primordial black holes are still a theoretical concept, there is strong evidence to suggest that they could exist. The existence of primordial black holes would help explain dark matter, which is a type of matter that cannot be directly observed but is thought to make up a significant portion of the universe's mass. Additionally, recent observations of gravitational waves have provided some evidence for the existence of primordial black holes.

4. How do primordial black holes form?

Primordial black holes are believed to have formed during the early stages of the universe when the density of matter was very high. As the universe expanded and cooled, regions of higher density collapsed under their own gravity and formed black holes. The exact process of primordial black hole formation is still not fully understood and is an active area of research.

5. What is the significance of primordial black holes?

If primordial black holes are confirmed to exist, they would have significant implications for our understanding of the universe. They could help explain the mysterious dark matter and provide insights into the early stages of the universe. Additionally, the potential discovery of primordial black holes could open up new avenues for studying the laws of physics in extreme conditions and potentially lead to new discoveries and advancements in our understanding of the universe.

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