I know that black holes can't be seen, but what is the part that can be seen from the black hole. Is it a jet or something? please explain what can be seen.
2006-12-11 05:17:42 · 5 answers · asked by Michelle R 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A black hole cannot be directly seen, because it absorbs all light. However, you can see its effects (the gravity) on any nearby objects.
2006-12-11 05:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by ixfd64 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normally, none.
By definition, a black hole is an object with an escape velocity greater than 300,000 km/s (the speed of light), so that even light cannot escape it.
At the distance where the escape velocity is exactly the speed of light (this distance is called the Schwartzschild radius) is the "event horizon" Anything that crosses within this distance of the black hole (including light) is forever trapped. It cannot escape.
Matter than falls into a black hole, will be torn apart by the strong gravitational effect and tidal effects. The atoms are really torn apart and heated to millions of degrees, while they are still outside the event horizon. That is what we see. For example, in Seyfert Galaxies, the luminosity that comes from that process produces more energy than all the stars of the galaxy, combined.
2006-12-11 05:27:40 · answer #2 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The accretion disc, where the matter that is falling into the black hole swirls around like the water going down a drain. As the matter accelerates it emits X-rays, which can be seen with an X ray telescope.
2006-12-11 05:23:10 · answer #3 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Only material near a black hole can be seen, as it accelerates towards the event horizon, it releases energy, as any accelerating charged particle will do.
2006-12-11 05:22:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You normally can't but you sometimes see them in x-ray pictures
2006-12-11 11:59:05 · answer #5 · answered by archie321 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋