Small, dark, and heavy: But is it a black hole?

TL;DR

This paper questions whether observed small, dark, heavy objects are truly black holes as defined by general relativity, exploring alternative explanations and challenging the consensus view.

Contribution

It examines a specific alternative to black holes, providing a critical analysis of the prevailing assumption that such objects are definitively black holes.

Findings

Challenges the assumption that all small, dark, heavy objects are black holes

Highlights the need for further observational tests of black hole nature

Proposes alternative models that could explain these objects differently

Abstract

Astronomers have certainly observed things that are small, dark, and heavy. But are these objects really black holes in the sense of general relativity? The consensus opinion is simply "yes", and there is very little "wriggle room". We discuss one of the specific alternatives.