Definition: Black Hole: A black hole is an astronomy theoretical celestial object, formed when a massive star collapses from its own gravity. A black hole has such a strong pull of gravity that not even light can escape from it.
Some scientists theorize that rotating black holes (also know as Kerr black holes) which contain billions of dead stars lie at the centers of galaxies.
The idea of black holes was first theorized in the late eighteenth century by English geologist John Mitchell and French astronomer Pierre Simon Laplace. At one time, scientists called them "gravitationally collapsed objects." Russian scientists suggested calling them "collapsars," but it wasn't until 1969 when Princeton physicist, John Wheeler coined the term black hole. Black holes have continued to hold public interest and are a popular fixture of science fiction books and movies.
Also Known As: gravitationally collapsed objects
Alternate Spellings: blackhole