A study reveals that black holes formed from light are impossible, posing a challenge to Einstein's theory of relativity.

New theoretical research has determined that it's impossible to create a black hole using only the energy of light particles, challenging Einstein's theory of general relativity. The findings suggest that "kugelblitze"—hypothetical black holes formed entirely from light—cannot exist in our universe, placing significant constraints on cosmological models. This discovery highlights how quantum mechanics and general relativity can work together to address complex scientific questions. Black holes, known for their immense gravitational pull that even light cannot escape, typically form from the collapse of massive stars at the end of their life cycles, when gravitational forces overpower the pressure from thermonuclear reactions in their cores. However, some more exotic theories propose alternative methods of black hole formation, such as the creation of a "kugelblitz," which is German for "ball lightning" (with the plural form being "kugelblitze").