Akugelblitz (German:[ˈkuːɡl̩ˌblɪt͡s]ⓘ) (English: ball lightning) is atheoretical astrophysical object predicted bygeneral relativity. It is a concentration ofheat,light, orradiation so intense that its energy forms anevent horizon and becomes self-trapped. In other words, if enoughradiation is aimed into a region of space, the concentration of energy can warpspacetime so much that it creates ablack hole. This would be a black hole the originalmass–energy of which was in the form ofradiant energy rather than matter;[1] however, there is currently no uniformly accepted method of distinguishing black holes by origin. (See theno-hair theorem.)
A study published inPhysical Review Letters in 2024 argues that the formation of a kugelblitz is impossible due to dissipative quantum effects likevacuum polarization, which prevent sufficient energy buildup to create an event horizon.[4] The study concludes that such a phenomenon cannot occur in any realistic scenario within our universe.[3] While the intensity needed to directly verify this calculation is 50 orders of magnitude higher than the level of technology allows as of 2024,[5] the spontaneous disintegration of a high-energy photon into an electron-positron pair (theSchwinger effect) only requires 1000 times more energy than the most advancedlasers can produce.[3]
It has been speculated that the kugelblitz could be the basis interstellar engines (drives) for futureblack hole starships.[6][5][7]
