Frozen stars, also known as black hole mimickers, are theoretical objects, meaning their existence is not yet confirmed, but they are being studied as an alternative to black holes. According to Ramy Brustein, professor of physics at Ben-Gurion University in Israel, these ultracompact astrophysical objects lack singularities and event horizons, but can mimic the observable properties of black holes. So, while they aren't "real" in the sense of being directly observed, they are a real area of research.
Here's a breakdown:
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What they are: Frozen stars are hypothetical objects that are extremely dense, like black holes, but without certain key features.
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Key differences from black holes:
- Singularity: Black holes have a singularity at their center, a point of infinite density. Frozen stars are theorized to avoid this.
- Event Horizon: Black holes have an event horizon, a boundary beyond which nothing can escape. Frozen stars lack this.
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Mimicking black holes: Despite the differences, frozen stars are theorized to have similar gravitational effects to black holes. This makes them difficult to distinguish observationally.
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Current status: They are currently theoretical objects under investigation. More research is needed to determine if they exist and how they might be distinguished from black holes.
In short, the concept of "frozen stars" represents a real area of theoretical physics exploring alternatives to black hole models.
