Black Holes, the Key to Understanding the Universe
17 Sep, 2026
£12-£14
Lovell Lecture Series 2026
19.30 – 21.00
Black holes are fascinating objects because of the way they force us to address the biggest questions in physics such as the essential nature of space and time.
Black holes are formed when massive stars collapse at the end of their life cycle. Their gravity is so strong that light cannot escape from them. The first direct image of a black hole and its vicinity was published in 2019 using observations made by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2017.
As part of Jodrell Bank’s Curious Universe series, Jeff Forshaw will introduce black holes and go on to examine the consequences of trying to track the flow of information into and out of a black hole. Recent insights indicate that space and time are emergent features related to key concepts including “quantum entanglement”, and in a fashion that bears some resemblance to “quantum error correcting codes”, such as are needed to make stable quantum computers.
About Jeff Forshaw
Jeff Forshaw is professor of particle physics at the University of Manchester. He is the author of over 100 scientific publications and four popular science books, written together with Professor Brian Cox. The most recent of these, published in 2022, is Black Holes, the Key to Understanding the Universe. He won the 1999 Maxwell Medal for contributions to theoretical physics and the 2013 Kelvin Medal for contributions to the public understanding of science.
Guests also have the option to book a pre-lecture meal at our fantastic First Light Café, choosing from the options below:
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Pie, Mash, Peas & Gravy £14.95
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- Cheese & Onion – Packed with gooey mature cheddar cheese, sautéed onions, and potato (v, halal) 2022 SILVER: The British Pie Awards.
- Steak & Stout Flank Steak – bathed in Guinness stout for 24 hours, braised and slow-cooked with carrots, garlic, onions, bay leaf, and thyme, with a rich stout gravy.
- Aloo Saag Spinach & Sweet Potato – cooked in our own blend of spices with a spicy tomato curry sauce (v, vegan, halal).
The café will be open from 18.00 – 19.15, with the last sitting at 18.50.
image Professor Jeff Forshaw, the University of Manchester