What Happens If A Black Hole Hits Earth?
Summary
This episode explores the hypothesis that primordial black holes could constitute dark matter, detailing how asteroid-mass black holes might pass through Earth without destroying it. The host discusses potential detection methods, including seismic waves and unique crater shapes on the Moon, while addressing the Tunguska event. The segment concludes with a Q&A covering MOND, the physics of fuzzballs, and the testability of string theory predictions.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: UnitedHealth Group and Zoom
Introduction: Black holes and cosmic threats
Primordial black holes and the early universe
Ruling out PBH mass ranges via lensing
PBHs in the solar system and dark matter
Physics of a PBH passing through Earth
Accretion radiation and the Eddington limit
Sponsors: Zoom and UnitedHealth Group
Sponsor: Jira and AI agents
Atmospheric entry and Tunguska comparison
Seismic detection and rarity of impacts
Detecting past impacts on the Moon
Crater morphology: Asteroids vs Black Holes
Conclusion: Implications for dark matter
Promo: Above the Noise space tourism episode
Sponsors: Zoom, UnitedHealth, and Jira
Community support and Patreon shoutout
Comments: MOND and dark matter galaxies
Comments: Fuzzballs and complementarity
Testing fuzzballs and cat hairball jokes
Sponsors: UnitedHealth, Jira, and Progressive
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