Cast your memory back to 2014 when the world witnessed the release of a cinematic blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan, “Interstellar.” This film skillfully delved into space-related concepts, such as wormholes, black holes, and alien planets, all presented with scientific accuracy. However, one of the most awe-inspiring moments occurred at the film’s climax, when the central character, Cooper, embarked on a perilous journey into a black hole. Within the narrative, the black hole was referred to as Gargantua. As Cooper ventured deeper into the black hole, he initially encountered nothing but an all-encompassing darkness. However, as he descended further, he discerned minuscule grain-like particles that pelted his spacecraft, resulting in visible scratches. These particles also generated flashes of light and sparks, eventually causing a conflagration aboard his craft. With no alternative, he ejected from his vessel and continued his descent into the black hole. Astonishingly, he found himself within a five-dimensional space—a mind-bending tesseract. In this extraordinary realm, he harnessed the power of gravity to communicate with his past self, crafting an unforgettable cinematic experience. Witnessing these scenes might have left you pondering their plausibility: Could such phenomena exist within a black hole? What would one encounter when plunging into a black hole? Today, we shall embark on a journey to comprehend these aspects.
The Enigma of Black Holes
“Black holes remained largely unknown until the 20th century. A black hole is a region in space where the force of gravity is so strong not even light can escape. From the outside, you can’t tell what is inside a black hole. Black holes haunt our universe, dark centers of gravity that swallow everything in their path.”
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
Our odyssey begins with the origins of the black hole’s story, my dear friends. The history of black holes is relatively brief, as a mere century ago, these enigmatic entities remained shrouded in mystery. Their discovery was closely associated with Albert Einstein’s revolutionary Theory of Relativity. This theory comprises two key components: the Special Theory of Relativity and the General Theory of Relativity.
Einstein unveiled the Special Theory of Relativity in 1905, shedding light on the intricate relationship between speed and time. When an individual travels in a spaceship at an exceptionally high velocity, the passage of time for them differs from those who remain on Earth. The swifter the spaceship’s motion, the more time decelerates relative to individuals not onboard the ship. Notably, this time dilation is perceptible only when compared to people residing on Earth. The word “relative” plays a pivotal role here, as individuals within the spacecraft would not perceive time’s slowdown, as it would appear to flow uniformly. It’s only upon their return to Earth that they would detect a discernible time discrepancy. This phenomenon is termed “Kinematic Time Dilation”.
However, it isn’t solely speed that governs time dilation; gravity also plays a substantial role, as elaborated in Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, which he developed in 1915. According to this theory, the more intense the gravitational force one encounters, the greater the time dilation one experiences. This phenomenon is labeled “Gravitational Time Dilation.” In the magnificent film “Interstellar,” this principle was portrayed eloquently. When Cooper and his team descended onto the Aqua Planet, every hour spent there corresponded to seven Earth years, owing to the planet’s close proximity to the gargantuan black hole, Gargantua. Thus, the black hole’s immense gravitational force substantially influenced the passage of time.
To grasp this concept, Einstein encouraged us to envision space-time as a fabric, akin to a mesh, supporting celestial objects. The presence of these objects causes this space-time fabric to curve. This curvature not only augments the gravitational pull on physical entities but also leads to time dilation. Furthermore, the influence of gravity extends to other forms of energy, encompassing sound, heat, and light. Consequently, gravitational forces affect a multitude of phenomena, contrary to popular belief. This theory stipulates that certain objects in the cosmos can possess an immensely powerful gravitational force, capable of absorbing light entirely. These entities would thus appear completely black to observers because even light is incapable of escaping their grasp. These entities are precisely what we refer to as “black holes.”
Intriguingly, Einstein did not anticipate the actual existence of black holes when he presented his Theory of General Relativity. Although he understood that gravitational forces influenced light, he did not seriously entertain the idea that such cosmic enigmas might truly exist. In fact, during his lifetime, the concept of black holes appeared rather outlandish to him. While the theory allowed for their theoretical existence, it also permitted concepts such as infinity, which were equally challenging to accept as practical realities. Thus, Einstein held reservations regarding the genuine existence of these phenomena. Remarkably, by the time of his passing, the term “black holes” had not even been coined.
A captivating tidbit of information pertains to Einstein’s contention that light’s speed imposes an upper limit on the influence of gravity. This means that gravity’s effects are not instantaneously felt everywhere, but rather restricted by the speed of light. As a tangible example, envision the sudden disappearance of the sun. Remarkably, we would only become aware of this occurrence eight minutes later, as sunlight requires this amount of time to travel from the sun to Earth. Astonishingly, according to Einstein’s theory, the gravitational consequences of the sun’s vanishing would also manifest eight minutes later. This intriguing facet underscores the intricate relationship between the force of gravity and the propagation of light.
The Genesis of Black Holes
Even though the name “black hole” sounds undeniably sensational, it tends to engender a somewhat misleading impression. The term might inadvertently convey the notion of an actual “hole” existing in space. However, this is a fallacy, as black holes are not openings or voids in the conventional sense. Rather, black holes are formed through the extraordinary life cycles of stars.
Indeed, my friends, there lies a central core within a black hole, but it’s important to understand how this core comes into existence. Stars, including our very own Sun, engage in a perpetual nuclear fusion process within their core. These fusion reactions generate both heat and light. The heat, in particular, exerts an outward pressure. Simultaneously, at the core of the star, the force of gravity is pulling inwards. This equilibrium, characterized by the opposing forces, is what sustains the star throughout its life cycle. The energy derived from the nuclear fusion reactions prevents the star from collapsing under the weight of its own gravitational force.
However, these nuclear fusion reactions rely on a finite fuel source, typically either hydrogen or helium. Over time, this fuel gets consumed. When the star exhausts its fuel supply, the outward pressure ceases. With nothing to counteract the relentless gravitational pull, the star inevitably collapses upon itself. Please be aware that this process unfolds gradually; it’s not an instantaneous occurrence. In fact, our very own Sun, with an anticipated lifespan of roughly 10 billion years, is expected to persist for quite some time.
Now, what transpires next hinges upon the mass of the star in question. To elucidate this, let’s refer to a life cycle chart for stars.
Life Cycle of a Star
1. Small to Average-sized Star: If the star is relatively modest in mass, it undergoes a transformation into a Red Giant, and from there, it may evolve into a planetary nebula or a White Dwarf.
2. Huge Star with Considerable Mass: On the other hand, for massive stars endowed with substantial mass, once they’ve depleted their fuel reserves, they cool down and transition into Red Supergiants. Following this, the Supergiant undergoes a dramatic supernova explosion. After this cataclysmic event, a minuscule core persists. If this core is compact, it’s referred to as a Neutron Star. However, should the core exceed a certain size, it transforms into a Black Hole.
The fundamental concept is that when a star’s mass undergoes gravitational collapse, it condenses to a remarkably diminutive size. To offer a tangible perspective, consider that if a star as large as our Sun were to transform into a black hole, the resultant black hole would possess a mere diameter of approximately 50 kilometers. Such a dramatic compression is truly astounding.
However, it’s worth noting that our own Sun, often humorously referred to as our “son,” will never mature into a black hole. This conclusion was substantiated by the celebrated Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, who introduced the Chandrasekhar Limit. This limit posits that the maximum mass attainable for a White Dwarf is approximately 1.4 times the mass of our Sun. Beyond this threshold, White Dwarfs cannot maintain stability, subsequently transforming into either Neutron Stars or Black Holes. In the case of our Sun, it falls well below this limit, and thus, it is destined to culminate its stellar journey as a White Dwarf.
Understanding Black Holes
Having established why black holes exist, let’s now delve into their characteristics and types. There are primarily three to four categories of black holes, my friends.
1. Stellar Black Hole: This is the most common type of black hole and is formed through the gravitational collapse of massive stars. It is estimated that within our Milky Way Galaxy, there are between 10 million to 1 billion such stellar black holes.
2. Primordial Black Hole: These black holes are a theoretical and somewhat mysterious category. They are presumed to possess a mass akin to that of a mountain, yet their dimensions are as minuscule as an atom. In essence, these black holes are purely hypothetical, with much remaining unknown about them.
3. Supermassive Black Hole: These are colossal black holes with a mass exceeding that of one million Suns combined. Remarkably, these mammoth entities can fit within a region no larger than our Solar System. Scientists speculate that at the core of major galaxies, including our Milky Way, supermassive black holes reside. The supermassive black hole situated at the heart of our galaxy is known as Sagittarius A*.
Additionally, there is ongoing speculation regarding a potential fourth type of black hole, although this remains unconfirmed. If it does indeed exist, this fourth category would be termed an “Intermediate Black Hole,” bridging the gap between stellar and supermassive black holes. At present, no concrete evidence substantiates the existence of intermediate black holes.
Now, as depicted in films such as “Interstellar” and the remarkable images you may have encountered, it’s vital to understand that black holes are not akin to colossal vacuum cleaners sucking in everything around them. Instead, they exhibit distinct features.
The Golden Ring around Black Hole
In these visual representations, black holes exhibit an orange-hued ring, known as an Accretion Disk, which encircles the central black hole. This accretion disk holds particular significance in the context of black holes. The stupendous gravitational force exerted by black holes draws gaseous matter and debris towards them, much like planets orbiting the Sun due to its gravitational pull. However, the gravitational influence of black holes is so intense that the matter in their vicinity attains tremendous speeds, becomes heated, and transforms into a fluid-like state. This matter takes on the appearance of fiery particles, with temperatures soaring to over a million degrees Celsius. As this matter ventures closer to the black hole, it orbits at even greater speeds, creating a visually striking accretion disk.
The particles orbit the black hole at such extraordinary speeds that they experience friction and compression, resulting in their luminosity. This emission consists predominantly of electromagnetic radiation, primarily in the form of X-rays. It’s worth noting that although this accretion disk was accurately portrayed in the movie, there’s a slight inaccuracy regarding its color. In actuality, human eyes cannot perceive X-rays, as they lie beyond the visible light spectrum. The orange-yellow color you often see in representations serves as a visual aid. The actual hue of this disk tends closer to blue. Even in the groundbreaking 2019 photograph of a black hole, the yellowish-orange coloration was employed to symbolize the accretion disk.
Another notable feature in the real image, which may not be as apparent in the cinematic portrayal, is that the particles on one side of the disk appear brighter than those on the other side. This distinction arises from the Doppler Beaming effect. By observing the authentic photograph of a black hole, you can discern the direction of the spinning particles. The brighter area corresponds to particles moving toward us, while the dimmer area indicates particles moving away. This effect is responsible for this contrast.
Returning to the cinematic representation, the accretion disk exhibits an intriguing optical illusion attributable to gravity. It creates the illusion that the disk envelops the upper and lower sections of the black hole. This illusion transpires because gravity warps the path of light. When observed from the front, the presence of the disk conceals the area behind it, and light from that concealed region must traverse the disk, influenced by gravity. This phenomenon leads to the perception that the disk encompasses the entire top and bottom of the black hole. However, when viewed from the top, black holes appear as conventional, round disks. This optical illusion is observable only when the black hole is viewed from the sides.
In addition to the accretion disk, as one ventures further into a black hole, a final circle of light known as the Photonsphere becomes visible. In this region, gravity’s influence is so profound that light itself starts to orbit the black hole. And what is light composed of? Photons. These photons initiate an orbit around the black hole, theoretically making it possible for an observer inside this region to view the back of their own head, as light travels in a circular path, forming a ring.
Beyond this juncture lies the event horizon, marking the boundary of the black hole. It is considered a boundary because once crossed, the gravitational force becomes so overpowering that not even light can escape. Everything beyond this threshold is shrouded in utter darkness. Therefore, if an individual were to fall into a black hole and surpass the event horizon, theoretically, there would be no means of escape. After all, if even light succumbs to the inescapable clutches of a black hole, what chance would a human have? In the movie “Interstellar,” it was depicted that Cooper’s spacecraft continues its descent into a black hole, crosses this event horizon, and abruptly enters a five-dimensional space.
However, it’s crucial to understand that this part of the film is a product of imaginative speculation. The interior of the event horizon remains a mystery because we lack concrete knowledge regarding its nature. The creators of “Interstellar” enlisted the expertise of a Nobel prize-winning physicist to ensure the scientific accuracy of their portrayal. Nonetheless, for aspects of the narrative that delve into the realm of the undiscovered, the film necessarily drew from imagination.
When contemplating the content within a black hole, one might turn to Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity for insights. According to this theory, the central region of a black hole is referred to as a Singularity. This Singularity is the epicenter of the black hole, where the curvature of space-time becomes infinitely profound. To harken back to the metaphor of the mesh discussed earlier, the heavier the object, the more the space-time mesh bends. In the case of a black hole, this bending becomes so extreme that it stretches into infinite curvature. As per the theory of relativity, the influence of gravity on time, energy, and all other phenomena intensifies as gravitational force increases. With the escalating force of gravity, time slows down indefinitely. However, what does this mean when time slows down infinitely? Does it imply that if one ventures inside a black hole and somehow manages to depart, the external universe would have already met its end? This is a question to which we possess no definitive answer. We can merely speculate and construct theories. How do you envision it? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
One intriguing theory posits that because light is absorbed upon entering the event horizon, inside this boundary, it may undergo multiple reflections before reaching the Singularity. As a result, certain elements inside the event horizon might indeed be visible. However, it’s imperative to acknowledge that, thus far, the extent of our knowledge about black holes remains quite limited. Our practical understanding has been substantiated by a solitary photograph taken by the Event Horizon Telescope on April 10, 2019. This photographic evidence marked a monumental moment, confirming the existence of black holes more than a century after they were initially theorized.
One certainty regarding black holes is that should you fall into one, the gravitational forces at play would lead to your disintegration in a matter of milliseconds, rendering survival an impossibility. Nevertheless, there’s no need for undue apprehension when it comes to black holes. In the past, many harbored misconceptions that black holes acted as cosmic vacuum cleaners, ceaselessly accumulating matter and eventually spelling doom for the entire universe. However, this isn’t an accurate representation. As elucidated earlier, at the core of each galaxy, a supermassive black hole reigns, presiding over the orbits of all planetary bodies and stars within its gravitational purview. This arrangement is akin to the way all planets in our solar system orbit the Sun. Likewise, at the heart of each galaxy, albeit on a grander scale, supermassive black holes play a pivotal role in governing celestial motion.
In conclusion, by maintaining a safe distance from a black hole – akin to practicing social distancing – one can coexist without impending danger. As for the tantalizing concept of five-dimensional space alluded to in “Interstellar,” it’s a topic worth exploring in future.
16. Time Traveler From Year 2256: Science Behind Mystery
Back in March 2003, the FBI apprehended a 44-year-old man named Andrew Carlssin. At that time, various newspapers were buzzing with reports about this individual’s astonishing streak of luck. In the realm of stock markets, his success stood out like no other – a mere $800 investment had miraculously transformed into a staggering $350 million within a mere two weeks. Naturally, the FBI grew suspicious, suspecting that he might be engaged in a fraudulent scheme or insider trading.
During their questioning of Andrew, he provided an extraordinary explanation – he claimed to be a time traveler from 250 years in the future, armed with knowledge about stock market performances. This, he contended, was the source of his remarkable investment gains. The FBI, understandably, was taken aback by this assertion and firmly believed it to be a fabrication. As a result, they took it upon themselves to prove its falsity.
Upon closer examination, they discovered a perplexing detail – there was no record of Andrew Carlssin’s existence prior to December 2002. Even more perplexing, on April 3rd, Carlssin was scheduled for a court appearance related to his bail, but he mysteriously vanished and was never located again. The question looms: was Andrew Carlssin a genuine time traveler? Is the idea of time travel scientifically plausible, or is it merely the stuff of fiction in books and movies?
In this chapter, we delve into the scientific underpinnings of time travel. The debate ensues as we ponder the possibility of a ‘time machine.’ The rules governing these temporal jumps are explored as we embark on a quest to understand the concept of time travel, which has intrigued us since the early 1900s.
In 1895, H.G. Wells penned his groundbreaking novel, ‘The Time Machine,’ which popularized the notion of a machine capable of propelling individuals into both the future and the past. Though Wells’ work was unquestionably science fiction, it sparked the curiosity of numerous philosophers and physicists who delved into serious research on the topic, spawning a wealth of scholarly papers and an array of cinematic interpretations.
Time travel manifests in various forms in science fiction, and let’s begin by examining some of these classifications. First, there is the one-way journey to the future, where individuals travel forward in time but cannot return. This is exemplified in movies like ‘Interstellar,’ where a time traveler ventures into the future while those they left behind continue to age and, in some instances, pass away.
Next is instantaneous time jumping, where a person can leap from one point in time to another instantly using a time machine, as seen in ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.’ The third approach involves the time traveler standing still while time itself moves around them, as illustrated in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ when Hermione uses the time-turner.
In the case of slow time travel, depicted in the 2004 film ‘Primer,’ a time traveler enters a box and, for every minute they spend inside, they move back in time by a minute. So, to go back a day, they must remain inside the box for a full day. Lastly, there is the concept of traveling at the speed of light to traverse through time, as depicted in ‘Superman’ (1979) when the superhero exceeds the speed of light to journey back in time.
Among these varied concepts of time travel, the critical question arises: which methods could potentially be feasible in reality or the future? Which remain firmly grounded in scientific principles, and which might be deemed entirely unscientific and implausible? The answer may surprise you, as some of these notions, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, hold potential for actual realization even in the present day.
To broadly categorize time travel, there are two primary directions to consider – traveling into the future and venturing back into the past. First, let’s explore the possibility of traveling to the future, a concept that finds its foundation in Albert Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity.
Einstein introduced the groundbreaking idea of time dilation, which challenged the previously held belief that time remains constant regardless of one’s location or velocity. This notion was initially proposed by the renowned physicist Isaac Newton, who asserted that time was an immutable constant. However, Einstein boldly disputed this notion.
Einstein’s analogy likened time to a river, where its flow could either slow down or accelerate, much like water in a river. This temporal fluctuation depended on factors such as speed and gravitational force. Astonishingly, Einstein posited that time could be manipulated – either accelerated or slowed down – by altering the speed and gravitational conditions of an object. This phenomenon is aptly known as time dilation.
Exploring the details of how Einstein arrived at this conclusion is a complex endeavor best reserved for another discussion, given its intricacies and depth. Nonetheless, time dilation can be categorized into two distinct mechanisms: one driven by speed and the other by gravity.
In the case of speed-induced time dilation, an object moving at a high velocity experiences a deceleration of time relative to a stationary observer. For a practical illustration, envision two clocks: one placed on the ground and another placed on an airplane. As the airplane accelerates to a high speed, the clock on board will begin to lag behind the stationary clock, illustrating the concept of Kinematic Time Dilation. This phenomenon has been substantiated through experiments employing atomic clocks to ensure precise time measurements.
Thus, as we unravel the scientific underpinnings of time travel, we find that the notion of traveling to the future is not relegated solely to the realm of science fiction. Albert Einstein’s groundbreaking insights into time dilation reveal a pathway that enables time to be both sped up and slowed down, contingent upon speed and gravitational forces, opening a realm of possibilities for temporal exploration.
It was observed that the clock within the airplane lagged behind the other clock, a phenomenon demonstrated in the Hafele Keating Experiment. This experiment conclusively validated Einstein’s theory of time dilation. Importantly, this doesn’t imply that time itself is actually slowing down for the airplane’s clock; rather, it underscores the relative nature of time. When we observe the airplane’s clock from the ground, time appears to slow down in our perspective, creating a relative time differential.
For an individual on the airplane and the clock on board, time proceeds as it always has. To put it theoretically, if we were to construct a rocket capable of traveling at the speed of light and embarked on a ten-year journey at that speed, then returned to Earth, the time experienced on Earth would be 9,000 years ahead.
In simpler terms, traveling to the future is scientifically possible today, but the primary hindrance lies in the absence of an aircraft that can achieve such incredible speeds. Although reaching the speed of light is a challenge, advancements in technology offer hope for the development of aircraft and spaceships capable of attaining such velocities, potentially making time travel a reality.
Notably, Gennady Padalka, a Russian astronaut, holds the record for the most time traveled into the future, thanks to his extended stay in space—879 days, during which he maintained a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour. This expedition caused him to age 0.02 seconds less than those on Earth, highlighting the potential for significant time travel in the future.
Apart from high-speed time dilation, Einstein’s theory introduces another mechanism for time travel through gravitational force. The greater the gravity, the more pronounced the effect of time dilation. In this context, envision a fabric of space-time akin to a mesh with planetary objects represented as balls. Objects with more mass, and consequently more gravitational force, warp this mesh. Near an object with high gravitational force, time slows down considerably.
Consider spending time near Jupiter, the Sun, or even a black hole to experience slowed time. This phenomenon mirrors the concept seen in the movie ‘Interstellar,’ where each hour spent on a planet near a black hole equates to seven years for those not on the planet, a scientifically accurate representation.
While this elucidates the theoretical possibility of time travel into the future, the practicality of surviving near a black hole remains an open question. Black holes are known to possess immense mass and gravitational force, a reality confirmed when the Event Horizon Telescope captured the first-ever image of a black hole on April 10, 2019.
Returning to the subject of time travel, there are three distinct methods to journey into the future. The first is high-speed travel, the second involves proximity to a massive gravitational object, and the third is cryosleep. Cryosleep, depicted in films like ‘Passengers,’ places individuals in a state of suspended animation, halting the aging process. In reality, NASA is actively researching the development of stasis chambers, where astronauts can undergo mild hypothermia to conserve energy, slow down chemical reactions, and thus delay the aging process.
In a notable case from Japan, a man survived for 24 hours without sustenance or water, his body entering a form of hibernation at a temperature of only 22°C. This remarkable incident resulted in no permanent harm to his body, as his organs and brain remained unaffected. The concept of cryosleep is a promising area of research, and space agencies like NASA are actively exploring its potential applications.
We must adopt a wait-and-see approach for the time being. However, a noticeable aspect of the discussion so far is the exclusive focus on methods of traveling into the future. But what about journeys into the past? Is it a feasible endeavor in reality? At present, we cannot physically travel to the past, but we can gain insight into past events. This is because light takes a considerable amount of time to travel from one location to another. Even with its incredible speed, light requires years to reach certain destinations, quantified in light-years. If we were to arrive at a location before the light’s arrival and observe it, we would effectively be witnessing the past.
However, this method allows for glimpses into the past rather than full-fledged time travel.
So, can we genuinely travel back in time? On June 28, 2009, the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking hosted a unique party at the University of Cambridge, complete with balloons and champagne. The intriguing aspect of this gathering was that, despite being an open invitation, not a single person attended. This social experiment was conceived to demonstrate the implausibility of time travel to the past. If it were possible, we should have been encountering time travelers from the future routinely. But this absence of such encounters raises serious doubts.
Theoretically, Einstein’s theory of relativity doesn’t rule out the prospect of traveling to the past. According to Einstein, if a gravitational force is exerted on the fabric of space-time, one powerful enough to create a wormhole, time travel into the past could become viable. This would necessitate an immensely potent gravitational field, akin to that of a black hole. A spinning black hole could potentially generate a gravitational force capable of bending space-time back on itself, forming a closed time-like curve known as CTC.
The practicality of this theoretical concept involves several challenges. Some theories posit that small wormholes spontaneously form and disappear in space, but they are exceedingly minuscule, smaller than atoms. To harness them for time travel, they would need to be enlarged, a task demanding substantial energy, including negative energy. Negative energy, an anti-gravitational force, would counteract the fabric of space-time, akin to the repulsion between like poles of magnets. This would be necessary to sustain the wormhole and make time travel possible.
However, the generation and application of negative energy remain theoretical and unproven at present. Nevertheless, this theory, proposed by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, carries substantial weight and holds the potential for time travel to the past.
Yet, contemplating travel into the past reveals a host of formidable obstacles, chiefly paradoxes. One well-known example is the Grandfather Paradox. If one were to travel to the past and inadvertently prevent their great-grandfather’s existence, it would disrupt the timeline and raise the question of how they were born in the first place. This paradox challenges the logical consistency of time travel. Several theories, including the Multiverse Theory, attempt to address these paradoxes by suggesting that changes in the past create new universes with distinct timelines.
Another intriguing paradox is the Predestination Paradox, which posits that our actions in the past inherently shape our present timeline. In this scenario, events are seemingly destined to unfold in a specific manner, despite attempts to alter the past. The outcome of any alteration becomes part of one’s present reality.
Despite these fascinating theories, time travel into the past presents considerable challenges and raises questions of logical consistency. The potential for paradoxes may render it infeasible.
Conversely, time travel into the future is already scientifically feasible today and stands to become increasingly probable in the future. The means to glimpse the past are currently available, given the time it takes for light to traverse vast distances. This renders a form of time travel into the past plausible.
So, in a way, time travel already exists, and it aligns with the scientific concepts illustrated in films like “Interstellar.” Yet, the story of Andrew Carlssin, as presented at the beginning of this chapter, is not rooted in reality. It was, in fact, a satirical narrative published in “The Weekly World News” that was later adopted and reported as fact by various media organizations. The tale is a fabrication, underscoring the importance of critical discernment in evaluating such stories.
