From Initial Conditions to Final Fates - Observational Constraints on Key Evolutionary Stages

Explore observational constraints on stellar black hole evolution in this 45-minute conference talk that examines the complete lifecycle of stellar mass black holes from their massive star progenitors to their final fates. Discover how recent gravitational wave detections, Gaia observations of dormant black holes in detached binaries, microlensing surveys of isolated black holes, and time domain surveys searching for transients are revolutionizing our understanding of the stellar mass black hole population. Learn about the complicated evolutionary pathways of massive star progenitors, core collapse processes and associated transient phenomena, the afterlives of black holes as either dormant or accreting objects, and their potential finale as gravitational wave sources during merger events. Examine how these new observational capabilities are revealing black hole populations that complement the accreting systems long known from X-ray and radio surveys, and understand the urgent questions that arise from these discoveries about stellar black hole lifecycles. Gain insights into current observational and theoretical strategies being developed to address these fundamental questions in stellar evolution and compact object formation.