A spiral-shaped disk of dust fueling a massive black hole in the center of the galaxy NGC 4261.
Click on image for full size
L. Ferrarese (Johns Hopkins University) and NASA.
No one is sure that Black Holes really exist, but most scientists
think they do. They are very hard to see, because they are black and
so is space. They are black because their gravity is so strong that
not even light can escape them.
Black Holes can form from a
supernova explosion. The
collapse of a star's surface inward causes the explosion. And it also
makes a black hole. But only if the star was big enough. It takes a
pretty big star to make a Black Hole.
Some astronomers believe that they have seen Black Holes
indirectly. They think that they can see Black Holes gobbling up stars
that got too close to them. They also think that most galaxies may
have a giant Black Holes in their centers.
What would it be like to enter a black hole? Not fun. First, as you
approach the black hole the difference in gravity's pull on your head
compared to your feet would rip you apart. But suppose you survived
that. Once you entered the Black Hole you cannot return, remember not
even light gets away from a Black Hole. In the end the Black Hole
would crush you out of existence. So I wouldn't try it if I were you.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
The Fall 2009 issue of The Earth Scientist
, which includes articles on student research into building design for earthquakes and a classroom lab on the composition of the Earth’s ancient atmosphere, is available in our online store
You might also be interested in:
Scientists think they may have found a way to escape from a black hole! There are some really strong winds in the middle of a black hole. These winds make a shield from the black hole's gravity. Matter...more
Some really cool pictures were taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope! The gravity of galaxies and black holes is able to bend the light coming from behind it. This makes a lens of light around the object....more
Scientists found a really old galaxy! It is one of the first galaxies ever! The galaxy is inside a huge black hole. They used radio signals to find it. Black holes give out energy when the suck in an...more
A lot of people like to hear stories about black holes because they are so mysterious! A new discovery has been made about black holes - some of them spin! All of the matter and light that comes near a...more
NASA revealed the first images from the Chandra X Observatory. Since first being deployed July 23, the Chandra X Observatory has had no problems. Included in the first set are images of a huge cloud with...more
Everyone likes hearing about black holes. They are so mysterious! Scientists using the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope have found material spiraling into black holes! Both teams...more
NASA has two new missions! The Swift and FAME projects were chosen to be part of the MIDEX program. Swift will launch in 2003 and FAME will launch in 2004. The Swift spacecraft will use three different...more