I have no notable background in physics and cannot identify whether this experiment is a valid analog of Hawking radiation, but it's amazing to me that one could substitute that many conceptual components and still have a strong result.

Then again, the whole process of a billionth-of-a-degree condensate flowing at high velocities to create multiple distinct internal sound barriers that could even approach an effective model of an event horizon is a testament to the patience and creativity of the physicists involved. And when you study something so difficult to observe, you definitely need creativity and patience, right?