Article 4R855 What a black hole looks like up close, according to NASA

What a black hole looks like up close, according to NASA

by
Rob Beschizza
from on (#4R855)

I wouldn't want to be this close. [NASA]

Rhis new visualization of a black hole illustrates how its gravity distorts our view, warping its surroundings as if seen in a carnival mirror. The visualization simulates the appearance of a black hole where infalling matter has collected into a thin, hot structure called an accretion disk. The black hole's extreme gravity skews light emitted by different regions of the disk, producing the misshapen appearance.

Bright knots constantly form and dissipate in the disk as magnetic fields wind and twist through the churning gas. Nearest the black hole, the gas orbits at close to the speed of light, while the outer portions spin a bit more slowly. This difference stretches and shears the bright knots, producing light and dark lanes in the disk.

Looks like the math-artists got it right on Interstellar.

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