Black holes are one of the most mysterious phenomenons in the universe. While a major theme plot (and some say character) in many science fiction TV shows, movies and books, black holes are real- yet mostly understood. For those that are interested in science and incredible forces which are inherent in black holes the Smithsonian Magazine has an article on the subject that should not be missed.
What is a Black Hole?
Black holes are extremely intriguing, because they are incredibly powerful and so little is known about them. A black hole is point in space that has a concentration of mass that is extremely dense. When an object is extremely dense- far denser than any imaginable object such as lead, the gravitation pull is extremely strong. With black holes, we are talking about objects that are much denser than average size planets in the space that is taken up in a grain of sand. This amazingly powerful gravitational force that is generated by this mass is so strong that it not only pulls objects to it, but nothing can escape its grasp- not even light. Because light can not escape a black hole’s grasp, the area of space is devoid of any visible object and hence called a black hole.
How is a Black Hole Formed?
Most scientists suggest that black holes are formed by once thriving suns that have died out (they have run out of energy and can not continue to burn normally) and in essence implode onto itself. The process of a star dying out can take literally billions of years, however a black hole can be formed in a split second chemical reaction.
Where are Black Holes Located?
Scientists know of quite a few black holes in the universe and while for a long time black holes were not evident in our galaxy (the Milky Way) recent evidence suggests that even our galaxy is home to a black hole. While the theory of black holes goes back to the late 1700’s, it has only been recently that black holes can be easily studied. With new and improved digital telescopes and the power to crunch lots of data, more and more research and information is now known about one of the most powerful forces in the universe.
Read More About Black Holes
For those that are interested in science, space and black holes, the Smithsonian Magazine has an intriguing article on the subject. To read it, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com
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