What is a Black Hole?
A black hole is an area in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that no matter, even light, can escape its powerful grasp This is due to the fact that the black hole has an incredibly dense core, otherwise known as a singularity, combined with an incredibly strong gravitational field. This concept was conceived in the late 18th century by astronomer John Michell and subsequently developed by Albert Einstein with his Theory of Relativity. Black holes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, both theoretically and observed.
In recent years, scientists have documented the existence of black holes in our universe. One of the more fascinating aspects of these objects is that they can be found in almost every corner of the universe – ranging from the centers of galaxies to the outer reaches of deep space. They have been observed to have a wide range of masses and sizes, as well as a variety of internal structures.
Five of the Best Examples of Black Holes
1. Sagittarius A*: Found in the Milky Way, Sagittarius A* is the brightest and most massive black hole known to astronomers. This black hole is believed to be in charge of controlling the motion of the stars in our galaxy, as well as producing low-level x-ray emissions. Sagittarius A* is estimated to have a mass in excess of 4 million times larger than our sun.
2. Abell 85: Located in the Virgo Galaxy Cluster, Abell 85 is one of the largest supermassive black holes known to science. It is estimated to have a mass of 2 trillion times that of our sun and is believed to be formed of a single large object. As such, it is one of the more fascinating candidates for research and study.
3. IC 1101: IC 1101 is considered the largest black hole known to science, with a mass estimated to be between 55 and 60 billion times the size of our sun. This massive object is located in the very center of the galaxy cluster Abell 370. Its sheer enormity can be seen from up to 1.3 billion light-years away.
4. Sgr A*: Found in the Milky Way, Sgr A* is a supermassive black hole that is located right in the very center of our galaxy. It is estimated to have a mass of more than 4 million times the mass of our sun and is believed to be the source of the stellar winds that shape the structure of our galaxy.
5. M87: Located in the Virgo Galaxy Cluster, M87 is one of the most massive black holes known to science. It is estimated to have a mass of 6.6 billion times that of our sun and is believed to produce huge amounts of x-ray and gamma-ray emissions. As such, it is one of the best candidates for research and study.