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Could We Observe an Exploding Black Hole in the Near Future?

Michael J. Baker*, Joaquim Iguaz Juan†, Aidan Symons‡, and Andrea Thamm§

  • *Contact author: mjbaker@umass.edu
  • †Contact author: jiguazjuan@umass.edu
  • ‡Contact author: asymons@umass.edu
  • §Contact author: athamm@umass.edu
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 111002 – Published 10 September, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/nwgd-g3zl

Abstract

Observation of gamma rays from an exploding black hole would provide strong evidence for primordial black holes, the first direct evidence of Hawking radiation, and definitive information on the particles present in nature. However, indirect constraints suggest that direct observation of an exploding Schwarzschild black hole at current or upcoming gamma ray observatories is implausible. We introduce a dark-QED toy model consisting of a dark photon and a heavy dark electron. In this scenario a population of light primordial black holes charged under the dark u(1) symmetry can become quasiextremal, so they survive much longer than if they were uncharged, before discharging and exhibiting a Schwarzschild-like final explosion. We show that the answer is “yes,” in this scenario the probability of observing an exploding black hole over the next 10 years could potentially be over 90%.

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Corrections

21 November, 2025

Correction: A missing factor in the denominator of an inline equation in the last paragraph of the End Matter has been inserted.

synopsis

Dark Charge Could Make Exploding Black Holes More Common

Published 10 September, 2025

Primordial black holes could be stabilized by a dark, electromagnetic-like interaction, delaying their violent end until the present day.  

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 111002– Published 10 September, 2025
  • Received 24 March 2025
  • Revised 6 June 2025
  • Accepted 21 July 2025
  • Corrected 21 November 2025
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