18/04/2019
When my grand daughter wants to banish anybody (meaning her toys) she puts them in a black hole. Don't be surprised! Even though she is only four and a half years she knows what is a black hole. Well,not really, but approximately. She knows that it is a hole from which nobody can come out. When the first picture of a black hole was revealed, I asked my daughter to show it to her. It seems she was excited and asked a lot of questions. Knowing her, I can imagine what kind of questions they might be! This is just to illustrate how terms associated with space and its wonders can fascinate even people who do not pursue science. I know most of us are thrilled to see that pulsating picture. As for me I have always been interested in black holes, worm holes, pulsars, quasars, big bang, time travel....,...., ; anything connected with space. So to see a black hole in action! Even if it is in a picture! It is a dream come true. I know I am dealing here with cliches. But I am so thrilled and excited that this became possible in my lifetime! And I can only pay tribute to all those people who are behind this extraordinary achievement. From Einstein to Wheeler to Prof. Heino Falcke (who proposed the experiment) to Sheperd Coleman (director of Event Horizon Telescope) to Kate Bouman (who designed the algorithm that made the image possible) to the team of 200 scientists and many more unheralded people. To all of them! Wow! And thank you!