Difference between revisions of "Black hole"
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A '''black hole''' is an object in space that is so massive that the escape velocity from its [[gravity]], within a radius known as the ''event horizon'', is greater than [[lightspeed]]. Since not even light can escape from a black hole, they can not be detected directly, but they can be detected by their effects on their surroundings. For instance, [[star]]s and other luminous objects may orbit around black holes. A star must be at least three solar masses for a black hole to form. | A '''black hole''' is an object in space that is so massive that the escape velocity from its [[gravity]], within a radius known as the ''event horizon'', is greater than [[lightspeed]]. Since not even light can escape from a black hole, they can not be detected directly, but they can be detected by their effects on their surroundings. For instance, [[star]]s and other luminous objects may orbit around black holes. A star must be at least three solar masses for a black hole to form. | ||
== Black holes in Science Fiction == | == Black holes in [[Science Fiction]] == | ||
* ''The Black Hole,'' a 1979 Disney movie | * ''The Black Hole,'' a 1979 Disney movie | ||
* The ''Heechee Saga,'' a 1980's series of books by Frederik Pohl | * The ''Heechee Saga,'' a 1980's series of books by Frederik Pohl | ||
Revision as of 01:59, 29 January 2009
A black hole is an object in space that is so massive that the escape velocity from its gravity, within a radius known as the event horizon, is greater than lightspeed. Since not even light can escape from a black hole, they can not be detected directly, but they can be detected by their effects on their surroundings. For instance, stars and other luminous objects may orbit around black holes. A star must be at least three solar masses for a black hole to form.
Black holes in Science Fiction
- The Black Hole, a 1979 Disney movie
- The Heechee Saga, a 1980's series of books by Frederik Pohl
- The Stargate TV show features the occasional black hole