First-ever photo taken of a black hole

by Ben Reilly Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:00 pm

Astronomers have captured the first image of a black hole, heralding a revolution in our understanding of the universe’s most enigmatic objects.

The picture shows a halo of dust and gas, tracing the outline of a colossal black hole, at the heart of the Messier 87 galaxy, 55m light years from Earth.

The black hole itself – a cosmic trapdoor from which neither light nor matter can escape – is unseeable. But the latest observations take astronomers right to its threshold for the first time, illuminating the event horizon beyond which all known physical laws collapse.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/apr/10/black-hole-picture-captured-for-first-time-in-space-breakthrough

Fascinating to think that about 100 years ago or so, physicists began the mathematical investigation that has led to this photo.

by eddie Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:57 pm

Science geek. Razz

Cool picture though.

by Ben Reilly Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:08 pm

eddie wrote:Science geek.

Cool picture though.

It is, but it's quite enigmatic. This question could drive a person crazy:

If space is three-dimensional, and a black hole pulls all nearby matter and energy into itself, then why do we see a hole in this picture, rather than a glowing ball?

by eddie Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:14 pm

>THE Ben Reilly< wrote:
eddie wrote:Science geek.

Cool picture though.

It is, but it's quite enigmatic. This question could drive a person crazy:

If space is three-dimensional, and a black hole pulls all nearby matter and energy into itself, then why do we see a hole in this picture, rather than a glowing ball?

I don’t fucking know! I can’t even get my head around why the full moon always looks like Margaret Thatcher’s face. affraid

by Ben Reilly Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:16 pm

eddie wrote:
>THE Ben Reilly< wrote:
eddie wrote:Science geek.

Cool picture though.

It is, but it's quite enigmatic. This question could drive a person crazy:

If space is three-dimensional, and a black hole pulls all nearby matter and energy into itself, then why do we see a hole in this picture, rather than a glowing ball?

I don’t fucking know! I can’t even get my head around why the full moon always looks like Margaret Thatcher’s face.

Don't fret, babe, this is fake news. Everybody knows the first photo of a black hole had to do with your mum anyway.

by veya_victaous Thu Apr 11, 2019 10:38 am

>THE Ben Reilly< wrote:
eddie wrote:Science geek.

Cool picture though.

It is, but it's quite enigmatic. This question could drive a person crazy:

If space is three-dimensional, and a black hole pulls all nearby matter and energy into itself, then why do we see a hole in this picture, rather than a glowing ball?

Can't you see it as a opaque ball with a dark center?? confused

a bit like a fancy marble Suspect

imagine that this object looks the same from every direction

remember also this is a heavily processed image since it is actually pitch black as no light escapes it's gravity Smile