Water circling a drain provides insight into black holes

Energy boost from rotational superradiance detected for the first time

ripples off a vortex

DOWN THE DRAIN  Water ripples can ricochet off a vortex (shown), gaining energy. Scientists have now observed this effect, known as rotational superradiance, for the first time. The effect is also expected to occur in rotating black holes.

Courtesy of Silke Weinfurtner

Water swirling down a drain has exposed an elusive phenomenon long believed to appear in black holes.