Black holes are primarily referred to as "black holes," but there are a few alternative names or terms used to describe them in various contexts. Here are some commonly used alternative names for black holes:
Singularity: This term refers to the infinitely dense and compressed core of a black hole, where the mass is thought to be concentrated. It is the point at the center of a black hole where gravity is extremely strong.
Gravitational singularity: Similar to the above, this term emphasizes the intense gravitational forces and the resulting curvature of space-time within a black hole.
Dark star: This term was used in the early days of black hole research and describes the idea of an object that is so massive and dense that light cannot escape from its gravitational pull.
Frozen star: This term was also used historically and highlights the concept of matter becoming "frozen" or trapped at the event horizon of a black hole.
Wormhole: While not strictly a synonym for black hole, wormholes are sometimes associated with them. Wormholes are hypothetical tunnels or shortcuts that connect distant regions of space-time, and their existence is often discussed in the context of black hole physics.
It's worth noting that these alternative terms may not always be used interchangeably with "black hole" but may have specific connotations or applications within certain scientific or speculative discussions.