Astronomy Cast Ep. 777: The Eddington Limit
Published: January 5, 2026
Duration: 36:10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uijiic8crBQ
Hosted by: Fraser Cain (@frasercain ) and Dr. Pamela L. Gay (@CosmoQuest )
Streamed live on Dec 29, 2025.
How big can a star get? This is a calculation made by one of the original pioneers of modern astronomy, Sir Arthur Eddington. And it's named after him, the Eddington Limit. Now, astronomers are finding examples of giant black holes early in the Universe, calling into question some of Eddington's assumptions. Let's explore this fascinating concept! Why are stars sphere-ish? Why do blackholes not eat everything? Why do pulsating stars...