Abhas Mitra

 About Abhas Mitra

Abhas Mitra (born June 3, 1955) is an Indian astrophysicist best known for his distinct views on several front-line astrophysics concepts, particularly black holes. He presently heads the theoretical astrophysics section of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India.

Mitra’s research papers have regularly questioned the mainstream cosmological concepts of "Big Bang" and "Black Hole",

Prominent Scientific Work

Eternally Collapsing Objects

Though Mitra stresses that the `Black Hole’’ solutions are correct, his contention is that Black Hole masses, arising from relevant integration constants, are actually zero. His peer reviewed paper published in Journal of Mathematical Physics of the American Institute of Physics supports this contention by showing that Schwarzschild black holes have M = 0. If so, (i) The so-called massive Black Hole Candidates (BHCs) must be quasi-black holes rather than exact black holes and (ii) During preceding gravitational collapse, entire mass energy and angular momentum of the collapsing objects must be radiated away before formation of exact mathematical black holes. And since the formation of a mathematical zero mass black hole requires infinite proper time, continued gravitational collapse becomes eternal, and the so-called black hole candidates must be Eternally Collapsing Objects (ECO). Mitra’s peer reviewed papers describe why continued physical gravitational collapse should lead to formation of ECOs rather than true black holes, and the mathematical ``black hole’’ states can be achieved only asymptotically. An ECO is essentially a quasi-stable ultra-compact ball of fire (plasma) which is so hot due to preceding gravitational contraction that its outward radiation pressure balances its inward pull of gravity. Some American astrophysicists claimed to have verified this prediction that astrophysical Black Hole Candidates are actually ECOs rather than true mathematical black holes. The corresponding Harvard University Press Release acknowledges Mitra's original contribution in this context, and this is rare for any astrophysics research which is completely rooted in India rather than abroad.