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Since no form of radiation can ever get out of a black hole how come astronomers detect where black holes are?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Black holes can be detected using a variety of methods. While the black hole itself does not emit any radiation (or any other form of energy), high-energy radiation can still be emitted by matter that is being pulled into it. For example, if a black hole begins to consume a star that has ventured too close, the star will begin to emit x-rays, gamma rays, and/or particle jets as it is pulled apart. When a black hole is "feeding" it can be anything but black: the heat and energy emitted by the ill-fated star (or planet or another black hole or anything else for that matter) can make the location of the black hole to be quite bright.
Black holes can also be detected by spotting how they affect their nearby neighbours. They can cause "ripples" in space time, and as these gravitational waves move through space, their affect on objects can be detected and measured.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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How can astronomers detect where black holes are if no form of radiation can ever get out of a black hole?
There are two ways of detecting black holes indirectly. First, it is possible to observe the effects of a black hole's gravity on nearby objects. Second, while no radiation can come from within a black hole's event horizon, mater that has not yet crossed can still be seen. If a large amount of matter is falling toward a black hole, then it can become superheated and emit intense x-rays.
Ways you can detect black holes?
Since you can't see a black hole, scientists use a method called gravitational lensing to detect black holes. Since black holes warp space-time, the light that travels near a black hole is bent, like how a magnifying glass warps the object a little at the edges. Scientists look for unusual distortions of light caused by this effect to look for black holes.
How can astronomers tell whether a black hole exists in the center of a galaxy?
Astronomers believe there may be a black hole at the center of our galaxy because of a compelling body of evidence supporting the idea. Recent observations of the behavior of stars at the center of our Milky Way show them orbiting an object which, based on the stars' velocities, indicates its gravitation pull on them is caused by an object something that weighs in the vicinity of four million solar masses. The point of the nearest approach (perigee) in the orbit of the closest of these stars misses it at a distance which sets the upper limit of the size of the object. Given that nothing else in our physical theory could be so small yet so massive, the best fit is a supermassive black hole.
What evidence do astronmers use to detect black holes?
Most of the methods to detect black holes rely on their gravitational effects. The following are ways in which black holes can be detected, at least in theory:Hawking radiation: This radiation would be way too weak to detect a stellar black hole, but it might be used to detect primordial black holes. This method hasn't been successfully applied yet; perhaps there are no primordial black holes.A black hole's gravitational effect on a neighboring object; for example, stars orbiting Sag A* make it possible not only to conclude that there is probably a black hole there, but also to estimate its mass (current estimate: about 4.3 million solar masses).Matter falling into the black hole will emit strong x-rays.An accretion disk around a black hole will heat up through friction, and also emit radiation.Gravitational lensing of objects behind the black hole also make it possible to detect a black hole in some cases (when there is a good alignment).
How do astronomers search for black holes and what are the challenges of learning about them?
There are two ways of finding black holes. They can look for the effects that their gravity has on nearby objects and they can look for X-rays emitted by matter about to fall into them. A major challenge is that black holes themselves do not emit any light, making them impossible to detect directly.
How can astronomers detect where black holes are if no form of radiation can ever get out of a black hole?
There are two ways of detecting black holes indirectly. First, it is possible to observe the effects of a black hole's gravity on nearby objects. Second, while no radiation can come from within a black hole's event horizon, mater that has not yet crossed can still be seen. If a large amount of matter is falling toward a black hole, then it can become superheated and emit intense x-rays.
How do you know there are black holes?
Because the astronomers can detect that a star is being whirled around in space, or space is being distorted.
How did astronomers locate the black hole in the milky way?
They located it by searching for high-energy X-ray radiation in periodic bursts.
How can you see a black hole?
You cannot see a black hole directly. Which is probably just as well, since if you were close enough to see it, you would already be dead and fried by the radiation surrounding it. We can DETECT a black hole by that very radiation - the radiation generated as matter is accelerated to nearly the speed of light as it falls into the black hole. In fact, the first black hole ever identified, Cygus X-1, was detected by being a bright X-ray source with no visible star to account for it.
Ways you can detect black holes?
Since you can't see a black hole, scientists use a method called gravitational lensing to detect black holes. Since black holes warp space-time, the light that travels near a black hole is bent, like how a magnifying glass warps the object a little at the edges. Scientists look for unusual distortions of light caused by this effect to look for black holes.
Does science have a method or instrument for detecting black holes?
Black holes are distant objects found usually in the center of galaxies; therefore they are studied by astronomers, using telescopes, just as all astronomical objects are studied. Of course, black holes are studied indirectly. They do not emit radiation (or not enough radiation to view; there is Hawking radiation) but they have a strong effect on other nearby objects, which can be observed.
What kind of Astronomers study black holes?
specifically, "astronomers" that study black holes are called cosmologists.
How can you tell if there is a black hole?
Astronomers look for black holes by searching for their effects (the hole itself by definition can't be seen). Some of the possible effects are gravitational lensing and electromagnetic radiation from the hole's accretion disk.
What evidence do astronmers use to detect black holes?
Most of the methods to detect black holes rely on their gravitational effects. The following are ways in which black holes can be detected, at least in theory:Hawking radiation: This radiation would be way too weak to detect a stellar black hole, but it might be used to detect primordial black holes. This method hasn't been successfully applied yet; perhaps there are no primordial black holes.A black hole's gravitational effect on a neighboring object; for example, stars orbiting Sag A* make it possible not only to conclude that there is probably a black hole there, but also to estimate its mass (current estimate: about 4.3 million solar masses).Matter falling into the black hole will emit strong x-rays.An accretion disk around a black hole will heat up through friction, and also emit radiation.Gravitational lensing of objects behind the black hole also make it possible to detect a black hole in some cases (when there is a good alignment).
How can astronomers tell whether a black hole exists in the center of a galaxy?
Astronomers believe there may be a black hole at the center of our galaxy because of a compelling body of evidence supporting the idea. Recent observations of the behavior of stars at the center of our Milky Way show them orbiting an object which, based on the stars' velocities, indicates its gravitation pull on them is caused by an object something that weighs in the vicinity of four million solar masses. The point of the nearest approach (perigee) in the orbit of the closest of these stars misses it at a distance which sets the upper limit of the size of the object. Given that nothing else in our physical theory could be so small yet so massive, the best fit is a supermassive black hole.
Is it easy or difficult to detect black holes?
That really depends on the circumstances. A black hole doesn't emit any radiation directly (except for an insignificant amount of Hawking radiation); however, any time matter falls into the black hole, it tends to emit large amounts of x-rays. Also, the black hole can affect nearby objects by its gravitational attraction, just like the Sun affects the movement of the planets. So, even when you can't see it, you can still detect it, if there are nearby objects.
How can you use a spectrometer to detect black holes?
You can't use spectrometers to detect black holes. Telescopes are the only way to detect them.
