Masha Fante
Yesterday the world witnessed a remarkable and historic achievement when human beings managed to capture the first image of a supermassive black hole.
You're looking at the first ever image of a black hole. It was captured by the #NSFFunded @ehtelescope project. #ehtblackhole #RealBlackHole https://t.co/6dglvqrvOs pic.twitter.com/0hclANf4tc
— National Science Foundation (@NSF) April 10, 2019
The effort was the culmination of decades of academic work—from the theoretical physics of Albert Einstein to the applied computer science of Katie Bouman, the 29-year-old whose algorithm helped produce the image.
Congratulations to Katie Bouman to whom we owe the first photograph of a black hole ever. Not seeing her name circulate nearly enough in the press.
Amazing work. And here’s to more women in science (getting their credit and being remembered in history) 💥🔥☄️ pic.twitter.com/wcPhB6E5qK
— Tamy Emma Pepin (@TamyEmmaPepin) April 10, 2019
Unfortunately, science hasn’t cracked the problem of angry haters, bigots, or internet trolls, but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there fighting the good fight. One bigoted hater got absolutely spanked after he used the achievement to make a nasty comment about Muslim countries.
Ouch! That’s an astronomical smackdown. And the Muslim scientist is right. After all, algebra was invented by a Muslim! Literally none of this would have been possible without it.
Meanwhile, another black hole image hater got dunked on, presumably because our first pic wasn’t in 4K Ultra HD.
Also true. What is this annoying need to sh*t all over every scientific advancement? So obnoxious. (BTW, love the ‘yes you can!’ in response to redditor gateto asking if they can be in the screenshot.)
This was a truly historic achievement and it shouldn’t be mocked by “ingrown sausage links” or used by bigots to score points against their perceived enemies. (Just, you know, used as fodder for jokes and memes.)
h/t: r/MurderedByWords
