A spiral-shaped disk of dust fueling a massive black hole in the center of the galaxy NGC 4261.
Click on image for full size
L. Ferrarese (Johns Hopkins University) and NASA.
Black Holes
No one is sure that Black Holes really exist, but most scientists
think they do. They are very hard to see, because they are black and
so is space. They are black because their gravity is so strong that
not even light can escape them.
Black Holes can form from a
supernova explosion. The
collapse of a star's surface inward causes the explosion. And it also
makes a black hole. But only if the star was big enough. It takes a
pretty big star to make a Black Hole.
Some astronomers believe that they have seen Black Holes
indirectly. They think that they can see Black Holes gobbling up stars
that got too close to them. They also think that most galaxies may
have a giant Black Holes in their centers.
What would it be like to enter a black hole? Not fun. First, as you
approach the black hole the difference in gravity's pull on your head
compared to your feet would rip you apart. But suppose you survived
that. Once you entered the Black Hole you cannot return, remember not
even light gets away from a Black Hole. In the end the Black Hole
would crush you out of existence. So I wouldn't try it if I were you.
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