How the Universe Works

Tonight on How the Universe Works, the documentary “How Black Holes Made Us” looks at the surprising ways black holes shape the cosmos. It starts with the latest images from the Event Horizon Telescope, then follows researchers as they trace the flow of gas from a super‑massive black hole into surrounding space. The film explains how powerful jets punch through clouds, compressing them and sparking new stars. Interviews with astronomers show how black holes regulate galaxy growth, preventing them from becoming too massive. Re‑enactments of early galaxy collisions illustrate how black holes helped seed the first light‑bearing objects. The programme also ties the story to our own solar system, suggesting that the Milky Way’s central black hole set the stage for the conditions that eventually allowed life to emerge on Earth. Clear graphics and on‑location footage make the science easy to follow.