It’s a longstanding pain point for physicists: Their theory of gravity, general relativity, predicts that a black hole must contain a singularity, a point where space and time are infinitely warped and the laws of physics break down.

Many researchers hope that a theory combining gravity and quantum mechanics—if it can ever be discovered—will someday remove the thorn. However, a full-fledged theory of quantum gravity may not be necessary, two theorists argue independently.

A pinch of quantum mechanics—in the form of an effect called Hawking radiation—may suffice, enabling a black hole to form, age, and evaporate without creating a singularity.

Hawking’s signature prediction may prevent vexing singularities from forming.