The Triangle

Issue date: 7/23/04 Section: Sci-Tech

Media Credit: BBC Physicist Steven Hawking.

Stephen Hawking has recently argued that black holes may be able to release "information," which contradicts his earlier theory, as published in A Brief History of Time, that says they do not.

In the 1970s, Hawking stated that black holes emit matter and energy in small amounts, a phenomenon known as "Hawking radiation."

These two aspects of Hawking's theory constituted a paradox, according to the laws of quantum physics, which indicates that the "information" cannot be destroyed. Many physicists have been skeptical of this theory due to the paradox.

Hawking now says, "A black hole only appears to form but later opens up and releases information about what fell inside. So we can be sure of the past and predict the future."

Hawking presented his ideas at the 17th International Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation in Dublin July 21.

He stated "I want to report that I think that I have solved a major problem in theoretical physics."

He also presented John Preskill, from the California Institute of Technology, with an encyclopedia, as per a bet made in 1997.

Preskill was among the physicists doubtful of Hawking's theory.

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