This is a quick briefing on energy as it is understood in physics:

Today, energy is very much on our minds as we search for ways to power our civilization and serve the needs of our citizens. But what is energy? Where does it come from? And where do we stand within the great power streams that shape time and space?

Energy comes from a Greek word for activity or working. In physics, it’s simply the property or the state of anything in our universe that allows it to do work. Whether it’s thermal, kinetic, electro-magnetic, chemical, or gravitational.

And the term “understood physics” is used here because even black holes display properties that seem to defy what we think we  know.  Can you get your mind around some of these?  We hope you like the video and we’re looking forward to more pics from super telescopes like ESO and The Hubble!