This past week, the world got its first look at a photograph of a black hole. The image was captured by a network of eight linked telescopes known as the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration led by 29-year-old computer scientist Dr. Katie Bouman.
Scientists have obtained the first image of a black hole, using Event Horizon Telescope observations of the center of the galaxy M87. The image shows a bright ring formed as light bends in the intense gravity around a black hole that is 6.5 billion times more massive than the Sun pic.twitter.com/AymXilKhKe
— Event Horizon ‘Scope (@ehtelescope) April 10, 2019
If the first thing that popped into your head when you saw the image go viral on Wednesday was Chris Cornell‘s signature gravely voice crooning “Black Hole Sun”, you’re not alone. Following the reveal of the photo, a fan named Giuliana Jarrin launched a petition on Change.org to name the black hole after the Soundgarden frontman.
Soundgarden – “Black Hole Sun” [Music Video]
[Video: Soundgarden]
Related: Forthcoming Chris Cornell Documentary To Be Directed By Pete Berg, Produced By Brad Pitt
As the Change.org petition description notes,
Almost two years ago, we lost Chris Cornell. He was the lead singer for Soundgarden and Audioslave, and above all, the voice of an entire generation. He was one of the most beloved figures not just in rock, but all of music, by people from all over the world. His music, his voice and his personality inspired, influenced, changed and even saved the lives of thousands of people. Chris left a heavy legacy for a new generation of musicians who follow in his footsteps. His memory will remain forever alive in the hearts of all his family, friends, fans and all the people who love him, and his music will do the same in each record, song or video we play.
“Black Hole Sun”, written by Chris Cornell is without a doubt Soundgarden’s most recognizable and most popular song, and one of the biggest anthems of the 90’s. For this reason, and the impact Chris Cornell had in the lives of so many and music itself, I ask NASA, the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration and all the astronomers and scientists involved in this discovery, to name this black hole after Chris Cornell. This would be a “surreal” and amazing way to honor his life and his contribution to music.
As of publication time, more than 30,000 fans had signed the petition. If you’re into the idea, you can sign the petition here.
Of course, the black hole already has a name, and a pretty cool one at that—Pōwehi. So, Chris Cornell fans, your prayers may not be answered this time, but you can still take solace in knowing just how many fellow fans are behind the idea. You can learn more about the actual Hawaiian name of the black hole and how it was decided upon in the video below:
Astronomers collaborated with renowned @UHHilo Hawaiian langauge professor and cultural practitioner Larry Kimura for the Hawaiian naming of the #EHTBlackHole – #Pōwehi. #HumansOfUHHilo pic.twitter.com/fCZ2dzKVQk
— University of Hawaii System (@UHawaiiNews) April 10, 2019
Astronomers collaborated with renowned [H/T Billboard]
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