A new study from the Institute for Fundamental Physics of the Universe (IFPU) in Trieste, Italy, reviews alternative black hole models that do not have singularities, potentially offering observational tests for these theories [4, 12]. These models include regular black holes and black hole mimickers, which lack both singularities and event horizons [4, 10, 13]. This research challenges Einstein's theory of general relativity under extreme conditions [4].
Scientists are proposing that subtle deviations from Einstein's predictions can be measured using advanced instruments [4]. High-resolution imaging and gravitational wave analysis could reveal anomalies, potentially leading to a quantum theory of gravity [4, 7]. Such a theory would bridge general relativity and quantum mechanics, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe at both large and subatomic scales [3, 4].
IFPU Director Stefano Liberati highlights the exciting future for gravity research, noting the vast, unexplored landscapes that are opening up and promising groundbreaking discoveries [4]. This research suggests that the key to understanding the quantum nature of gravity may lie on the surfaces of black holes [5, 6]. The field is entering an era where observation refines theory, progressively narrowing the landscape of plausible models until only those consistent with all data remain [4].