The Hunt for Supermassive Black Holes - A Conversation with Andrea Ghez

Embark on a captivating journey through the cosmos with Nobel Laureate Andrea Ghez as she discusses her groundbreaking discovery of a supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Delve into the technological advancements that revolutionized her research, and gain insights into the long and challenging process of hunting for these enigmatic cosmic entities. Explore the intersection of observations and theory in astrophysics, and learn about the competitive nature of scientific discovery. Gain a deeper understanding of adaptive optics, the importance of powerful telescopes, and the role they play in unraveling the mysteries of our universe. Discover the significance of being a role model in science and hear Ghez's personal reflections on winning the Nobel Prize. This engaging conversation, hosted by Brian Greene as part of the World Science Festival's Big Ideas series, also touches on broader topics such as string theory, dark matter, and entropic gravity, offering a comprehensive look at cutting-edge research in modern astrophysics.

Introduction
White House bastion of science
The history of black holes
How does 12 connect with infinity
Does string theory work with black holes
Could dark matter contribute to black holes
What do you think about Verlindes entropic gravity
Andrea Ghez
Andreas background
Getting into research
Adaptive optics
Supermassive black holes
Center of the galaxy
Telescopes
The Hunt for Supermassive Black Holes
Animation
How long did it take
Competition
Observations and Theory