The heat of black holes involves both general relativity, namely the theory that describes the black hole itself, and quantum theory. Currently there is not yet consensus on a complete theory combining general relativity and quantum mechanics, and the heat of black holes is an indication of how to look for this combination. It is a theoretical benchmark for all attempts to solve the problem of combining the two great physics theories of the twentieth century. Black holes are not just amazing real objects in the heavens. They are also a laboratory for theoretically testing our ideas about
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