A scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has claimed it is impossible for black holes to exist, and that she also has conclusive mathematical proof. If this is true, her research could force scientists to reexamine their theories of how the universe began.

According to the Daily Mail, Professor Laura Mersini-Houghton has conducted research that tells her dying stars don't have enough density to become a black hole. Before we continue, let's start with a refresher on our current definition of black holes: according to NASA, a black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can't get out. The gravity is extremely strong because matter has been squeezed into a small space. This is believed to occur when stars are dying.

Furthermore, black holes are believed to have formed when the universe began. Stellar black holes are thought to form when a star falls in on itself or collapses, causing a supernova. These supernova lead to the expansion of the universe, and are therefore a main component of the Big Bang theory.

Now, back to Ms. Mersini-Houghton - she claims that as a star dies, it releases a type of radiation known as Hawking radiation (which was predicted by Professor Stephen Hawking). During this radiation process, Mersini-Houghton believes that the star sheds so much mass it cannot become a black hole; it simply swells and explodes. As a result, black holes do not form, and the Big Bang theory is brought into question.

Mersini-Houghton stated, "I'm still not over the shock... We've been studying this problem for more than 50 years, and this solution gives us a lot to think about," further conveying her surprise at her findings.

The existence of black holes has long provided a paradox based on the principles of Einstein's theory of gravity and fundamental laws of quantum theory. Einstein's theory predicts the formation of black holes, but laws of quantum theory also state that no information from the universe can ever disappear. As a result, the paradox follows: how can matter permanently disappear in a black hole?

Mersini-Houghton thinks her new theory answers the paradox perfectly. She stated, "Physicists have been trying to merge these two theories - Einstein's theory of gravity and quantum mechanics - for decades, but this scenario brings these two theories together, into harmony... and that's a big deal."