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Astrophysics, Cosmology & Relativity

Hawking Radiation

Thermal blackbody radiation predicted to be emitted by black holes due to quantum field fluctuations near the event horizon.

Governing formula T_H = ℏ c³ / (8 π G M k_B), P = ℏ c⁶ / (15360 π G² M²)
SI unit Kelvin (Blackbody Temperature T_H)

In depth

Formulated by Stephen Hawking in 1974. Virtual particle-antiparticle pairs near the horizon can separate, with one falling in and the other escaping with positive energy, causing the black hole to lose mass and slowly evaporate.

Examples in the real world

Microscopic black holes evaporating rapidly via high-temperature Hawking radiation.