Kugelblitz (astrophysics)
Encyclopedia
In theoretical physics
, a kugelblitz (German: "ball lightning") is a concentration of light
so intense that it forms an event horizon
and becomes self-trapped: according to general relativity
, if we aim enough radiation into a region, the concentration of energy can warp spacetime enough for the region to become a black hole
(although this would be a black hole whose original mass-energy had been in the form of radiant energy rather than matter). In simpler terms, a kugelblitz is a black hole formed from energy as opposed to mass.
According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, once an event horizon has formed, the type of mass-energy that created it no longer matters.
The best-known reference to the kugelblitz idea in English is probably John Archibald Wheeler
's 1955 paper "Geons", which explored the idea of creating particles (or toy model
s of particles) from spacetime
curvature. Wheeler's paper on geon
s also introduced the idea that lines of electric charge trapped in a wormhole
throat might be used to model the properties of a charged particle-pair.
A kugelblitz is an important plot element in Frederik Pohl
's novel Heechee Rendezvous
.
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
, a kugelblitz (German: "ball lightning") is a concentration of light
Light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has wavelength in a range from about 380 nanometres to about 740 nm, with a frequency range of about 405 THz to 790 THz...
so intense that it forms an event horizon
Event horizon
In general relativity, an event horizon is a boundary in spacetime beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer. In layman's terms it is defined as "the point of no return" i.e. the point at which the gravitational pull becomes so great as to make escape impossible. The most common case...
and becomes self-trapped: according to general relativity
General relativity
General relativity or the general theory of relativity is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916. It is the current description of gravitation in modern physics...
, if we aim enough radiation into a region, the concentration of energy can warp spacetime enough for the region to become a black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
(although this would be a black hole whose original mass-energy had been in the form of radiant energy rather than matter). In simpler terms, a kugelblitz is a black hole formed from energy as opposed to mass.
According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, once an event horizon has formed, the type of mass-energy that created it no longer matters.
The best-known reference to the kugelblitz idea in English is probably John Archibald Wheeler
John Archibald Wheeler
John Archibald Wheeler was an American theoretical physicist who was largely responsible for reviving interest in general relativity in the United States after World War II. Wheeler also worked with Niels Bohr in explaining the basic principles behind nuclear fission...
's 1955 paper "Geons", which explored the idea of creating particles (or toy model
Toy model
In physics, a toy model is a simplified set of objects and equations relating them that can nevertheless be used to understand a mechanism that is also useful in the full, non-simplified theory....
s of particles) from spacetime
Spacetime
In physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space as being three-dimensional and time playing the role of a fourth dimension that is of a different sort from the spatial dimensions...
curvature. Wheeler's paper on geon
Geon (physics)
In theoretical general relativity, a geon is an electromagnetic or gravitational wave which is held together in a confined region by the gravitational attraction of its own field energy. They were first investigated theoretically in 1955 by J. A...
s also introduced the idea that lines of electric charge trapped in a wormhole
Wormhole
In physics, a wormhole is a hypothetical topological feature of spacetime that would be, fundamentally, a "shortcut" through spacetime. For a simple visual explanation of a wormhole, consider spacetime visualized as a two-dimensional surface. If this surface is folded along a third dimension, it...
throat might be used to model the properties of a charged particle-pair.
A kugelblitz is an important plot element in Frederik Pohl
Frederik Pohl
Frederik George Pohl, Jr. is an American science fiction writer, editor and fan, with a career spanning over seventy years — from his first published work, "Elegy to a Dead Planet: Luna" , to his most recent novel, All the Lives He Led .He won the National Book Award in 1980 for his novel Jem...
's novel Heechee Rendezvous
Heechee Rendezvous
Heechee Rendezvous is a science fiction novel by American writer Frederik Pohl, a sequel of Gateway and Beyond the Blue Event Horizon. It takes place about two decades after the first novel. The novel was nominated for Locus Award in 1985....
.