Einstein was right! Black hole image confirms general theory of relativity

When matter approaches a black hole's event horizon - the point at which not even light can escape - it forms an orbiting disk

Black holes are long-time superstars of science fiction. But their Hollywood fame is a little strange given that no-one has ever actually seen one – at least, until now. If you needed to see to believe, then thank the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), which has just produced the first ever direct image of a black hole. This amazing feat required global collaboration to turn the Earth into one giant telescope and image an object thousands of trillions of kilometres away.

As stunning and ground-breaking as it is, the EHT project is not just about taking on a challenge.