Singularity Theorem | Cosmos Line | Roger Penrose and Stephen Hawking | Unisex Long Sleeve T-Shirt

These theorems demonstrated that, under very general conditions (like the formation of a black hole), gravitational collapse must inevitably lead to a singularity a point in spacetime where density and gravity become infinite.

The diagram uses light cones geometric constructs representing the path of light to visualize spacetime curvature. In the presence of intense gravity, these cones tilt inward. The design shows these light cones converging, forming a boundary which signifies the singularity.

The theorems were developed jointly in the 1960s and 70s by Roger Penrose and Stephen Hawking. Penrose initially focused on singularities within black holes, while Hawking extended the work to the Big Bang, showing that the universe must have originated from a singularity. This profound work used mathematics to prove that Einstein's theory of General Relativity predicts its own breakdown at these points of infinite curvature. The small label "Gravitational collapse -> singularity" encapsulates this monumental realization about the ultimate fate of collapsing matter.