The Digital Press

A new concept explores sending interstellar missions not just to nearby stars like Proxima Centauri, but to black holes within tens of light years, leveraging advanced beamed sail technology. Such missions could study black holes’ effects on spacetime and test fundamental physics in extreme gravitational environments.

Why it matters: Targeting nearby black holes could open unique astrophysical research opportunities beyond planet exploration.

The big picture: Estimates suggest billions of stellar-mass black holes exist in our galaxy, with some possibly within 20–25 light years.

Stunning stat: The closest known black hole, GAIA-BH1, is about 1,560 light years away, but models indicate closer black holes may exist.

Commenters say: Discussion centers on black hole detection challenges, dark matter's role in black hole formation, and practicalities of beam-driven sail missions.