A black hole is an object in space with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape its grasp. This happens when a massive object collapses into an extremely dense and compact entity, creating a very strong gravitational field. Black holes were first theorized by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, but it wasn't until the 20th century that they were actually detected through their effects on nearby matter. Black holes continue to fascinate scientists and the general public alike, as they still hold many mysteries and questions about the nature of the universe.