Jain Studies and Science

SR No.: 006923
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahaveer Raj Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 272
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 137

AGAM & SCIENCE / 129
2.3. Black Holes and Their Creation
By definition, a Black-hole is a dead star whose gravitation is so intense that even the light photons cannot escape from it. Absence of light makes them black and the way they gulp down other stars in their vicinity identifies them as 'holes'. Just a few years back, we knew our universe to be consisted of galaxies having stars, planets and moons as their family members. Of late, the presence of innumerable Black-holes has been confirmed beyond doubt.
It would be easier to understand a Black-hole, if the process of its creation is known. A star is born when the hydrogen atoms accumulate and starts off the process of nuclear fusion. As a result, the gravitational force remains in equilibrium with the heat generated. As the fuel of the star nears exhaustion, it cools off and the equilibrium of gravitation and heat is broken. With reduced heat, the gravitation takes over and the gases formed by the constant burning of nuclear fuel collapse inwards. Volume of star starts shrinking and more and more gases try to accommodate in the reduced space. This leads to increased density and therefore enhanced gravitation, which, in turn, attracts more mass within progressively reducing volume. A cumulative process or chain reaction thus sets up at the end of which the gravitation becomes so intense that the entire remaining gases collapse towards the dense centre with tremendous lightening, called Super Nova. The star is now dead and becomes its own crematorium. This ball of dense mass is called Black-hole. Its gravitational pull becomes so strong that even the massless photons cannot travel out of it and thus it becomes invisible. Astrophysicists could detect these Black-holes only by indirect evidences.
Mahapraya has elaborately commented on the Tamaskaya and black holes in his writings on Bhagwati-Sutra. His endeavour for the blending of ancient knowledge with modern science is highly commendable.