If you were able to enter a blackhole in a spacesuit would you be able to see the back of your head while looking forward because a blackhole bends light?
2006-10-28 22:33:48 · 10 answers · asked by Tropicalboy 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes, contrary to what most other answerers claim, this can happen in some circumstances.
A black hole is called as such, because this is a region in space from light can not escape. Gravity is so strong there that the theoretical escape velocity is larger than the speed of light. This means that there is a region inside the black hole, where light coming from a light source goes in orbit around the black hole, just like a satellite is in orbit around the earth.
So far, so good.
However.... nothing is simple close to a black hole. So far we reasoned using Newton's description of gravity, the one that is sufficient close to Earth. But a black hole's gravity is so strong that Einstein's theory of gravity applies. And here orbits are no longer circles and ellipses only but can be complicated Rosetta type loops that circle 3, 5, 11 times before closing. The hypothetical astronaut inside the BH can therefore see several copies of his head in different directions corresponding to different loops.
Now for the Universe being a Black Hole. True too.
If one calculates the size of a Black Hole with the mass of the Universe, you get a radius larger then the real radius of the Universe. Not surprisingly so... the Universe is everything and light can not escape.
And if you look in the right direction and with a strong enough telescope (and that's the Catch 22 of course) you might be able to see our galaxy. But you have to wait a couple of eons... the Universe is so big, that the light produced by the first stars of our galaxy did not have enough time yet to close the circle.
2006-10-29 02:15:58 · answer #1 · answered by cordefr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order for light to move from the back of your head to you eyes it would have to bend back to enter your eyes. This would not be possible because no light can move in a direction away from the center of the black hole. Also in order for light from the back of your head to get to your eyes it would have to be traveling faster than you. You and the space surrounding you and the light associated with it would all be falling at the same rate into the black hole. Of course as pointed out above you would not live long enough (we think) to see much of anything. It is worth remembering that theories of behavior of matter and energy in the close proximity of a black hole have changed several times lately. So new information may change things. Which is one of the many reasons it is fun to try to keep up with science.
2006-10-29 05:49:04 · answer #2 · answered by oldhippypaul 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been in many places, some of which may be loosely described as "holes" but never actually inside a black hole so I couldn't really tell. But I suppose that if I did, I wouldn't be able to see (or sense for that matter) anything, since I would be already dead even before entering it, split to pieces by forces applied on my poor body as I approach the perimeter of the black hole.
2006-10-29 07:27:30 · answer #3 · answered by fanis t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The universe as we know it may well be a black hole, and if so, then as I can't see the back of my head (even though I'm not wearing a space suit at present) I guess the answer is a NO.
2006-10-29 06:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by Sangmo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have I ever been to a mutha$%#@in' blackhole!? No I have not! Oh wait I have once. I let my *spaceship* fly into the *blackhole* of ur mama.
2006-10-29 05:42:38 · answer #5 · answered by Jak 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You'd be dematerialized, you wouldn't see anything, certainy not the back of your head.
A mirror bends light also I would suggest using two of those if you wish to see the back of your head.
2006-10-29 06:05:41 · answer #6 · answered by Merelda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
The space suit covers the back of your head
2006-10-29 05:37:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. I don't think light will be able to cirulate in a black hole
2006-10-29 05:45:35 · answer #8 · answered by The Potter Boy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you were to enter a black hole... you would be strung into a line if single atoms and wouldn't be able to see anything.
2006-10-29 05:40:21 · answer #9 · answered by USMCstingray 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DREAM CREATION
2006-10-29 05:36:12 · answer #10 · answered by raj the secret 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋