Eater by Gregory Benford

 

A relatively small black hole, Eater, enters the solar system in 2023, posing a potential threat.  It turns out Eater has an intelligence which scientists can communicate with.  Unfortunately, the intelligence's view of the universe, itself and beings such as humans does not make it feel we are equals.  There are questions of what its intents are.

 

Eater asks us to broadcast huge amounts of cultural material to it.  Scientists ask it various questions.  It tells us some things.  For instance, it says its intelligence began when the black hole went through a planet with an advanced civilization.  Those people tried to preserve some part of themselves by storing information and representations in the black hole's magnetic field.

 

On the other hand, there are some questions the scientists ask that get no answer.

 

Eater has learned how to control its direction as it travels through the galaxy.  It now uses this ability to seek out planets with civilizations.

 

There's a good view of scientists at work.  We also get shown the science-government interface.  And government officials.  Frictions and conflicts arise when a secret government science / defense agency takes control over the facility communicating with Eater.

 

The US government leads attempts to protect the Earth, but Eater is very powerful and knows what it wants to do.

 

As usual, Benford presents scientific knowledge relevant to the story.