Skip to main content

Why Does Time Slow Down Near a Black Hole?

Black holes are some of the most intriguing, yet not very well-understood objects in the universe, which are best described by Einstein’s theory of general relativity

One of the more interesting predictions of the theory is that even time will slow down near a black hole. But why, exactly?



Time slows down near a black hole due to the extremely strong gravitational field of the black hole. According to the theory of general relativity, this phenomenon is due to the gravity of the black hole curving spacetime in a way that affects all measurements of time and space near the black hole.

In this article, we’ll be discussing all about this slowing down of time -thing in great detail (namely the interesting geometry behind it) as well as looking at some consequences of this phenomenon (such as how it affects aging).

We’ll also look at some concrete examples of how much time actually slows down near a black hole as well as how different properties of black holes affect this (such as electric charge and spin).

If you’ve ever heard of general relativity or black holes before, you’ve probably also heard about the phenomenon called gravitational time dilation.

This is the effect a gravitational field has on the passing of time around it, namely that a clock will “tick” slower near, for example, a black hole than it would far away from the black hole.

The real question is, however, why such a phenomenon actually occurs and the answer is quite subtle but has a nice geometric explanation.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

China Makes History Again: Chang'e-6 Returns with Groundbreaking Moon Samples

In a remarkable achievement, China has successfully collected samples from the far side of the moon, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The Chang'e-6 mission, launched on May 3, touched down in the Apollo crater within the vast South Pole-Aitken basin on June 1. During its brief but productive stay, the spacecraft gathered approximately 2 kilograms of lunar material using a scoop and drill. The samples, now stored in an ascent vehicle, are expected to return to Earth on June 25, landing in Inner Mongolia. This historic achievement not only demonstrates China's space program prowess but also provides scientists with a unique opportunity to unravel the mysteries of the moon's formation and evolution.   Achievements: - *First-ever samples from the far side*: Chang'e-6 successfully collects lunar material from the moon's less-explored hemisphere. - *Second successful farside landing*: China builds on its 2019 achievement wi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why the U.S. and China Are Racing to Claim the Moon Again?

The Moon is no longer just a symbol of human achievement—it’s becoming a hotspot in a new era of geopolitical power plays. The United States and China are no longer just competing on Earth; their ambitions are clashing in orbit and now on the lunar surface. This isn’t just about flags and footprints—it’s about resources, dominance, and the future of space governance. The Artemis Accords, led by the U.S. and its allies, represent an attempt to establish new rules for lunar exploration. These agreements are voluntary, but they aim to set the tone for how countries operate on the Moon—promoting peaceful collaboration, transparency, and respect for each other’s zones of activity. More than 30 nations have signed the Accords, but some key space powers, including China and Russia, have not. Instead, China is forming its own coalition with plans for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a rival project to the U.S.-led Artemis missions. The ILRS represents a long-term Chinese vision...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fram2 Mission Breakdown – Real or CGI?

The Fram2 mission has sparked intense debates online, with some celebrating it as a breakthrough in private spaceflight while others dismiss it as CGI trickery. Launched by SpaceX on March 31, 2025, Fram2 became the first human spaceflight to enter a polar orbit, passing over both the North and South Poles. Unlike previous missions that remained in lower latitudes, this trajectory provided a unique perspective of Earth, making the footage appear different from what most people are used to seeing. The crew consisted of private individuals, not career astronauts, including a cinematographer, a crypto entrepreneur, a robotics expert, and a polar explorer. They were not just tourists; they conducted real scientific experiments, including studying radiation exposure, atmospheric data collection, and how certain materials behave in microgravity. Despite this, conspiracy theorists quickly labeled the mission as fake, claiming the footage looked “too perfect” and accusing SpaceX of using a...
Post a Comment
Read more