The Phenomenon of Black Holes
Black holes are among the most mysterious and intriguing objects in our universe. Formed when massive stars collapse under their own gravity, they possess a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.
Despite their name, black holes are not empty. Instead, they are packed with a tremendous amount of matter crammed into an incredibly small space. This gives them their extraordinarily strong gravity.
Types of Black Holes
- Stellar Black Holes: Formed by the collapse of individual stars and are relatively small but incredibly dense.
- Supermassive Black Holes: Millions to billions times the mass of the sun, typically found at the centers of galaxies.
- Intermediate Black Holes: Their existence is not well understood but might form when stars in clusters collide in a chain reaction.
How Do We Observe Them?
While black holes themselves are invisible, their presence can be inferred by observing the effect of their enormous gravity on nearby stars and gas. Explorations with telescopes and observatories, like the Event Horizon Telescope, provide glimpses of these cosmic wonders.