Black hole secrets revealed

[indigobusiness]

SAN DIEGO, United States (AFP) - Black holes, the invisible celestial bodies whose enormous gravitational pull sucks in everything around them, are beginning to share some of their secrets.

Using the newest generation of satellite-mounted x-ray telescopes, astrophysicists are starting to divine the shape and size of these mysterious objects, whose gravitational pull appears to be the fundamental source of energy at the heart of galaxies.

At the same time, their discoveries are producing new evidence for the 89-year-old theory of reletivity of legendary physicist Albert Einstein.

Black holes are created by an immense gravitational contraction of matter after the universe's largest stars burn up their nuclear cores and explode as supernovas.

As the star burns out, it forms a dark concentration of matter with a diameter of maybe just 24 kilometers (14.5 miles) but a mass four times greater than our own sun. The gravitational pull siphons up everything that passes nearby.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1539&e=1&u=/afp/20050113/sc_afp/usspaceastronomyscience_050113080919

[shoelace414]

1. there has never been a picture of one (black hole)

so it's just a theroy and should not be taught in school.

[Spinzonner]

2. Sure there has

don't you look at the negatives ?

[indigobusiness]

4. There has never been a picture of gravity or barometric pressure

either.

Should these not be taught, as well?

there has never been a picture of one (black hole)
so it's just a theroy and should not be taught in school.

So, proof requires photographs? Otherwise, something is mere theory?

Black holes are established fact, if not fully defined. The nucleus of a black hole is the only place where Quantum and Newtonian physics are thought to co-exist: which can't be, according to our limited understanding of physics - therein is the mystery. But black holes do exist, and have been measured...if not conventionally photographed.

[shoelace414]

5. Gravity is only a Theory after all.

:puke:

[indigobusiness]

6. Gravity is only theory?

What do you call Newtonian Physics? A fairy tale?

[pmbryant]

7. Black holes are well accepted, but 'established fact' seems a bit strong

There is a large amount of evidence pointing to their existence. But obviously, it is all rather indirect. And the phenomena we see surrounding purported black holes are not fully understood, so I'd hesitate to use the words "established fact" with black holes.

But they are definitely very well accepted these days; almost taken for granted.

--Peter

[shoelace414]

8. Exactly

Kinda like Global Warming and Evolution.

[pmbryant]

9. Significant differences

With global warming, we can actually directly measure the temperature of the Earth.

With evolution, we can see natural selection happening on a small scale, and my understanding is that the mechanisms involved are fairly well understood.

The observational phenomena surrounding purported black holes are not as well understood yet, and so I put black holes into a "less scientifically established" category than either global warming or evolution.

--Peter

[indigobusiness]

11. You left out gravity...

Where did you go to school?

[shoelace414]

12. well.. a black hole is just

lots and lots of gravity.. or it would be.. if either of them existed.

[indigobusiness]

13. Now THATS funny.

You got a laugh out of me with that one.

[indigobusiness]

10. That seems rather like hair splitting...

when you include and consider my entire assertion:

Black holes are established fact, if not fully defined.

Next to your declaration of hesitancy to use the words "established fact":

But they are definitely very well accepted these days; almost taken for granted.

[ecstatic]

3. the universe is awesome

exciting, awesome, and scary in that there is so much that we don't know and can't control. I'd love to travel space I'd love to watch someone else travel the universe one day.