Methods and results of searching for stellar mass black holes in binary systems and for supermassive black holes in galactic nuclei of different types are described. As of now (June 2002), a total of 100 black hole candidates are known. All the necessary conditions Einstein’s General Relativity imposes on the observational properties of black holes are satisfied for candidate objects available, thus further assuring the existence of black holes in the Universe. Prospects for obtaining sufficient criteria for reliably distinguishing candidate black holes from real black holes are discussed.

PACS: 04.70.−s, 97.60.Lf, 98.35.Jk (all) DOI: 10.1070/PU2003v046n04ABEH001282 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2003/4/a/ 000184349400001 Citation: Cherepashchuk A M "Search for black holes" Phys. Usp. 46 335–371 (2003) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Оригинал: Черепащук А М «Поиски черных дыр» УФН 173 345–384 (2003); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0173.200304a.0345