Chapter 1: The Historic Image of a Black Hole

The groundbreaking capture of a supermassive black hole has shifted our perspective on the cosmos. The iconic image belongs to the black hole residing at the core of Messier 87, the largest galaxy known, located approximately 54 million light-years away. This remarkable photo was produced by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), which is a global collaboration of eight radio telescopes.

"This is the moment we have glimpsed the unseeable," stated the astronomer, as he presented the image to an eager audience in Washington, revealing what many had anticipated: a hazy, orange ring encircling an immense void. By the end of the day, this image would become a symbol of scientific achievement, familiar to millions as the inaugural photograph of a black hole.

The EHT combined observations from telescopes positioned in diverse locations, including Antarctica and Arizona, creating a virtual instrument as expansive as the Earth itself. Achieving this feat required two years of meticulous data analysis from over 200 researchers, all focused on refining the details captured during four days in April 2017.

The simplicity of this image, contrasted with the intricate processes that led to its creation, struck me deeply. Unlike previous artistic representations of black holes, this photograph is a direct result of radio waves captured and transformed into a visual format. Although no telescope can provide a firsthand look at this enigmatic phenomenon, a consensus emerged throughout the day: we are truly witnessing a black hole, transcending mere detection.

Far surpassing its scientific implications, this image embodies a tangible reality, cementing our understanding of black holes with undeniable clarity. Our confidence in their existence, once purely theoretical, now bears a substantial visual anchor.

While evidence of black holes has been accumulating since Albert Einstein proposed their existence in 1916, the recent image adds a profound layer to our understanding. Theoretical contributions, such as Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar's hypothesis in 1935 and Donald Lynden-Bell's insights in 1969, have paved the way for this momentous achievement. In 2015, the collision of two black holes generated gravitational waves, further confirming their presence in the universe.

The allure of cosmic images captivates us, offering glimpses into the unfathomable. The night sky, a tapestry of stars and galaxies, hints at a complexity beyond our comprehension. Historical figures like Galileo transformed our understanding of the cosmos by pointing early telescopes toward the heavens, revealing the moon's craters, the sun’s rotation, and Jupiter's moons. These visual confirmations of the universe's vastness instilled belief in its existence.

As I reflect on my childhood, I recall the posters of cosmic wonders that adorned my walls. My mother, immersed in astrophysical research, often shared insights about telescopes revealing the past, as light from distant stars traveled across time and space. This notion inspired a belief that everything could be understood if only we could see far enough.

Modern telescopes have evolved, reaching unprecedented capabilities. They capture not just visible light, but X-rays and radio waves, unveiling the intricate structures of galaxies and nebulas. These images, though beyond our direct observation, have become integral to our understanding of the universe.

Despite their elusive nature, black holes have long fascinated scientists. They represent the ultimate enigma—regions where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape.

However, light has consistently aided in our quest to comprehend the unseen. T.S. Eliot once articulated the concept of the "visible reminder of invisible light," illustrating the relationship between what we can see and what we cannot. Early astronomers inferred the existence of gravity through the movements of celestial bodies, while modern techniques allow us to detect planets by observing the subtle shifts in starlight.

At the Space Telescope Science Institute, my mother studied black holes and their surrounding luminous regions. The paradox lies in the fact that while light cannot escape a black hole, the areas just beyond the event horizon are often some of the brightest in the universe. Her work exemplified the pursuit of the visible, tracing the signs of the invisible.

Behind the image of Messier 87 lies a reminder of the complexities involved in studying these enigmatic objects. The second focus of the EHT, Sagittarius A*, is the black hole at the heart of our own galaxy. Although closer, its smaller size makes it more challenging to observe.

Yet, its influence is undeniable. In the active center of the Milky Way, stars orbit around an unseen force, their movements revealing the presence of the massive object at the core. We may not have visual confirmation yet, but we understand its existence through the cosmic ballet of the stars.

Amelia Urry is a science writer and poet based in Seattle, and is the child of two astrophysicists.

Chapter 2: The Power of Cosmic Imagery

The first video titled How to Understand What Black Holes Look Like delves into the visual representation of black holes, explaining the significance of capturing their images for scientific understanding.

The second video titled How Do You Observe a Black Hole? provides insights into the methodologies and technologies used to study these elusive cosmic phenomena.