- #1
rubecuber
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do we know where supermassive black holes come from?
thanks,
rubecuber
thanks,
rubecuber
Do we know where supermassive black holes come from?
- Thread starter rubecuber
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In summary, the origin of supermassive black holes is still a mystery to scientists. While they are commonly found at the center of galaxies, their formation remains unclear. Some theories suggest they formed from the collapse of massive stars or through the merging of smaller black holes. However, more research is needed to fully understand the origins of these mysterious cosmic objects.
- #2
Chris Hillman
Science Advisor
- 2,355
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Define "know" 
Astrophysicists believe that solar mass black holes originate from the collapse of the core of a star which has exhausted its nuclear fuel. You can find a lot of information about this in the popular book by Thorne, Black Holes and Time Warps.
The origin of supermassive black holes is currently a bit more mysterious. One school of thought is that they formed from the gravitational collapse of a huge glop of matter in a young galaxy. Another is that they formed from the collision of many smaller black holes. Why is it hard to say who is right? Well, even the statistical theory in Newtonian gravitation of many many gravitationally interacting bodies (as in the dense stellar globule) turns out to be quite hard (keyword: Vlasov equation). Only recently have theorists tackled the analogous relativistic problem (keyword: Einstein-Vlasov equation).
Graduate students interested in learning more can see http://relativity.livingreviews.org/Articles/lrr-2005-2/index.html at Living Reviews.
Astrophysicists believe that solar mass black holes originate from the collapse of the core of a star which has exhausted its nuclear fuel. You can find a lot of information about this in the popular book by Thorne, Black Holes and Time Warps.
The origin of supermassive black holes is currently a bit more mysterious. One school of thought is that they formed from the gravitational collapse of a huge glop of matter in a young galaxy. Another is that they formed from the collision of many smaller black holes. Why is it hard to say who is right? Well, even the statistical theory in Newtonian gravitation of many many gravitationally interacting bodies (as in the dense stellar globule) turns out to be quite hard (keyword: Vlasov equation). Only recently have theorists tackled the analogous relativistic problem (keyword: Einstein-Vlasov equation).
Graduate students interested in learning more can see http://relativity.livingreviews.org/Articles/lrr-2005-2/index.html at Living Reviews.
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- #3
tacman
- 1,874
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As of now, the origin of supermassive black holes is still a mystery. Scientists have various theories, but there is no definitive answer. Some believe that they form from the merging of smaller black holes, while others suggest that they could be remnants of the first stars in the universe. However, more research and observations are needed to fully understand the formation of these massive objects. So, while we have some ideas, we cannot say for certain where supermassive black holes come from.
1. What is a supermassive black hole?
A supermassive black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, including light, can escape. They are millions or even billions of times more massive than our Sun and are located at the center of most galaxies.
2. How do we know supermassive black holes exist?
Scientists have observed the effects of supermassive black holes on their surrounding environments, such as the extreme gravitational pull on nearby stars and gas clouds. Additionally, powerful telescopes have been able to capture images of the intense radiation emitted from these black holes.
3. Where do supermassive black holes come from?
The exact origin of supermassive black holes is still unknown, but they are believed to form from the collapse of massive clouds of gas and dust in the early universe. Other theories suggest that they may have formed from the merging of smaller black holes over time.
4. Are there supermassive black holes in every galaxy?
While most galaxies do have a supermassive black hole at their center, there are some smaller galaxies that do not. It is believed that the presence or absence of a supermassive black hole may be related to the size and evolution of the galaxy.
5. Can supermassive black holes affect Earth?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that a supermassive black hole could directly affect Earth. However, if a black hole were to pass close to our solar system, it could potentially disrupt the orbits of planets and cause other gravitational disturbances.
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