THE first image of a black hole has been unveiled opposite from where leaders are hosting EU crunch talks in what is – according to Twitter – the perfect Brexit metaphor.
Scientists and pundits were falling over themselves this afternoon to proclaim the importance of the image but social media users pointed out that it is actually a little underwhelming.
Eight radio telescopes around the world have been pointed at two of the cosmic behemoths, one at the heart of our galaxy, the Milky Way, and another nearly 54 million light years away.
Now, after two years of acquiring and processing the data, the international team of scientists at the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) programme is set to present their "ground-breaking" first results.
Media was told to gather for press conferences in Brussels where the EU talks are being held, Washington, Santiago, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, and Lyngby in Denmark.
The unveiling happened at La Berlaymont building which hosts the EU Commission HQ.
That building can be found just across the road from the Europa building where Theresa May will beg EU leaders for a Brexit extension until June 30.
Here are the funniest tweets about the political black hole that is Brexit.
1.
Evening Standard first out of the traps with the black hole/Brexit cartoon. pic.twitter.com/wjjIW1dC5B
— Paul (@paulj71) 10 April 2019
2.
Not lost on politicos in Brussels and at home the black hole is being revealed across town from where EU leaders are opening discussions about delaying Brexit https://t.co/JcX9jikf63
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) 10 April 2019
3.
is it the tory brexit strategy? https://t.co/s43hekdIQZ
— Brenna (@brennajessie_) 10 April 2019
4.
One of the main news stories today is about an all consuming blackness that is sucking in everything around it and destroying it.
— Cyrus Bales (@CyrusBales) 10 April 2019
But that's enough about #Brexit, in other news the first ever picture taken of a black hole has been made public.
5.
Astronomers have taken the first ever image of a black hole> Located in the 10 Downing St, Brexit policy unit - scientists say it is surrounded by orbiting wreckage being slowly consumed and now identified as political careers, credibility and trust. https://t.co/GibCwvZ9AV
— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) 10 April 2019
6.
Hands up who thought we’d know what a black hole looked like before we found out what Brexit looked like?
— Ben Stanley (@BDStanley) 10 April 2019
7.
May: "we could leave on 22 May and start to build our brighter future.” But what exactly does this *brighter future* look like...? #Brexit #BlackHole pic.twitter.com/G3pjenIFn9
— Tim Baker (@TimBakerWrites) 10 April 2019
8.
Scientists reveal the deep thinking and careful planning at the heart of #Brexit. #BlackHole pic.twitter.com/y3ZJdRC4CV
— Richard Smith (@Richard1J1Smith) 10 April 2019
9.
My Twitter feed is currently dominated by fascinating discussions on black holes. A wonderful break from the black hole of brexit. Thank you @NewScientist.
— Andy Finney (@Delverie) 10 April 2019
10.
There's new hope that we can #Brexit into the safety of a black hole.
— Pete Carrier | CARRIER-media Ltd. (@CARRIERmedia) 10 April 2019
Scientist have warned that this is both impossible and would utterly destroy anyone or anything that went near it.
Parliament to vote tomorrow. https://t.co/jjuvBI4T2B
11.
An amazing achievement by Astronomers today - to do the opposite of Teresa May's #Brexit deal - identify a #BlackHole and choose not to go down it.https://t.co/Pn8wKDzveW
— Hayley Winter (@hayley_winter) 10 April 2019
12.
Astronomers have captured the first image of a black hole 🌘
— bheardmedia (@bheardmedia) 10 April 2019
If ever there was a metaphor for Theresa May's #BrexitShambles!!#Brexit #MayMustGo #GetTheToriesOut#GeneralElectionNow@OwenJones84 pic.twitter.com/QVSWmvLzzj
13.
Ah, now we know where Brexit went.https://t.co/I5ThcvJWka
— ScottyDunc (@dunc_scotty) 10 April 2019
14.
Cannot UK disappear in that black hole? #Brexit
— Geert (@GeertvanderBerg) 10 April 2019
15.
of course we get to see a black hole before a Brexit deal https://t.co/wUK6IWvzgS
— Claire Barthelemy (@cbtly) 10 April 2019
16.
BREAKING: Black Hole M87 is reportedly so dense that it's already announced its intention to stand as a candidate for the Brexit Party in next month's European Parliament elections.
— Beau (@DrBeauBeaumont) 10 April 2019
17.
If these guys can tell how big this black hole is then maybe they will be able to find out when Brexit takes place. https://t.co/uiubGUCgqM
— GaynorBlue (@BlueGaynor) 10 April 2019
18.
Larry the cat closely followed by the PM and MPs in Westminster. Brexit is disappearing into the black hole and so will Westminster politicians for their lies, damned lies and dictatorship
— David Veal (@DavidVeal12) 10 April 2019
19.
Is it really a coincidence that this has been discovered at the same time that the PM is unable to withdraw her government from the inescapable pull of Brexit chaos? I think not 🧐 #BlackHoleDay https://t.co/XrtGNzpsmL
— As one cabinet minister said to me yesterday, (@TomPashby) 10 April 2019
20.
A Black hole could be “a doorway to a parallel universe”. I thought Brexit had already put us in one!
— Ian Sommerschield (@iansommers) 10 April 2019
21.
This black hole has been very quiet about #brexit. #traitor pic.twitter.com/PQ5Lp7g67H
— Ben ‘Ben’ Archibald (@benarchibald) 10 April 2019
22.
Science knows no borders. Discoveries like this come from international collaboration and shared expertise.
— Scientists for EU (@Scientists4EU) 10 April 2019
Brexit goes against all of this.
It leaves the UK drifting outside in the cold, dark, lonely vacuum of space.https://t.co/1gfJVetuiG
23.
Still not as big as the black hole that following Brexit has created in my soul #EHTBlackHole pic.twitter.com/xhTdcb8CVD
— Ollie Thorpe (@OllieThorpe97) 10 April 2019
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