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Karl Schwarzschild

1873-1916 · astrophysics, theoretical physics, general relativity
Karl Schwarzschild is a German astrophysicist who found the first exact solution to Einstein's equations of general relativity, describing the gravitational field around a spherical mass. This solution predicted the existence of an event horizon — a boundary beyond which light cannot leave a body — and laid the foundation for the theory of black holes.

Biography

Born in Frankfurt am Main into a wealthy Jewish family. Showed exceptional abilities: published his first scientific paper at the age of 16. Studied at the Universities of Munich and Strasbourg. Was director of the Potsdam Astrophysical Observatory. At the outbreak of World War I, he volunteered for the front. While in active service, he received the new theory from Einstein and within a few days derived his famous solution, sending it by letter. Soon died of pemphigus. Einstein presented his work to the Prussian Academy of Sciences, calling it outstanding.

Key discoveries

💡 Schwarzschild derived the solution to Einstein's equations while in the trenches of the Eastern Front, suffering from a fatal illness. In a letter to Einstein, he wrote: 'As you see, the war has been kind to me, despite the heavy fire...' His work was completed just a few months before his death but became an immortal contribution to science.
"He explained that when gravity becomes sufficiently strong, light cannot escape the star, rendering it invisible, and that today this phenomenon is called a black hole."
Concepts
black holegravityspacetime curvature
Laws
Einstein field equationsStark effect
Scientists
Robert HookeFritz ZwickyJacob BekensteinSubrahmanyan ChandrasekharRainer WeissStephen HawkingJoseph WeberEmmy Noether

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