Solving the Mysteries of Galaxies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the characteristics and behaviors of galaxies, particularly focusing on the presence of massive black holes in spiral and elliptical galaxies, the evolution of these galaxy types, and the fate of energy that falls into black holes. The scope includes theoretical considerations and speculative ideas related to astrophysics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that most spiral galaxies likely have a massive black hole at their center, while others note that this is still a developing area of research.
  • There is a suggestion that elliptical galaxies form through the merger of other galaxies, which may include spirals, and that they can also host massive black holes.
  • One participant mentions that the rotation speed of the gas cloud from which a galaxy forms influences whether it becomes a spiral or elliptical galaxy.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the fate of energy that falls into black holes, with ideas ranging from it remaining inside the black hole to more speculative notions involving wormholes and the creation of new universes.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between mass and rotation velocity in determining galaxy shapes, with some asserting that rotation velocity is more significant than mass in this context.
  • Several participants reference the existence of massive black holes in elliptical galaxies, citing specific examples like M87.
  • Speculative ideas about black holes leading to new universes are introduced, referencing theories from authors like Lee Smolin.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the presence of black holes in galaxies and the processes that lead to different galaxy types. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, particularly concerning the fate of energy in black holes and the evolutionary processes of galaxies.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about galaxy formation and characteristics depend on ongoing research and may not be universally accepted. The discussion includes speculative ideas that are not grounded in established scientific consensus.

demoremda
[SOLVED] Some questions about galaxys

Hi guys this is my first message

Can we assume that every spiral galaxy has a massive black hole at the center?

And why don't elliptical galaxys evolve like the spirals?

Has anyone wondered were all the energy goes that gets sucked into a black hole?
 
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Originally posted by demoremda
Hi guys this is my first message ...

And why don't elliptical galaxys evolve like the spirals?

Hopefully several other people will reply----several parts of question.

About ellipticals, the last explanation I heard is that ellipticals are formed by the collision and merger of two or more other galaxies (which may e.g. have originally been spirals)
and an elliptical can have more than one massive black hole
in its central region.
 
Can we assume that every spiral galaxy has a massive black hole at the center?
It's the more probable.There's a theory that says that all the AGN (Seyfert galaxies, quasars, BL Lac objects,...) are only galaxies where the central black hole is eating big quantities of material, and then shine so brightly because that material is accelerating and
giving radiation
And why don't elliptical galaxys evolve like the spirals?
All depends how the cloud that gives rise to the galaxy rotates. If the cloud rotates rapidly, becomes a spiral galaxy, and if rotates slowly, an elliptic galaxy
Has anyone wondered were all the energy goes that gets sucked into a black hole?
I think that remains inside the black hole. Others would say that travels through a wormhole and go out from a white hole, but it's more sci-fi than pure science
 
Originally posted by meteor
All depends how the cloud that gives rise to the galaxy rotates. If the cloud rotates rapidly, becomes a spiral galaxy, and if rotates slowly, an elliptic galaxy

So your saying its a matter of mass? is it possible elliptic galaxys don't have massive black holes in the middle and if so why don't they form, the density seems about equal altough I am no expert
 
Originally posted by meteor
[
I think that remains inside the black hole. Others would say that travels through a wormhole and go out from a white hole, but it's more sci-fi than pure science [/B]


well for me black holes come pretty close to sci-fi and i know everything we don't understand is scifi or not possible, maybe an idea is that this is the krib of a new universe, it s a lot of energy that's been sucked in

im not educated on a high lvl in this but i like to think about it, thanks for the replies:smile:
 
So your saying its a matter of mass? is it possible elliptic galaxys don't have massive black holes in the middle and if so why don't they form, the density seems about equal altough I am no expert
No, not mass,I'm speaking about velocity of rotation. All the non-compact bodies that spin tend to have a flatlike form (for example, the sun that spin over itself, has more diameter in the equator than from pole to pole)Greater the velocity of spin, greater the flatlike form
Black Holes exists in the middle of elliptic galaxies too.The famous galaxy M87, that lies inside the Virgo Cluster, is elliptic, and has a BH of 3.000.000.000 Solar masses. It's the more massive black hole known.In comparation, Sagittarius A, the Black Hole of the center of the Milky Way, has a mass of only 3 million solar masses
well for me black holes come pretty close to sci-fi and i know everything we don't understand is scifi or not possible, maybe an idea is that this is the krib of a new universe, it s a lot of energy that's been sucked in
Interesting idea! Lee Smolin, in his book The life of the Cosmos has proposed the idea of the evolutionary universe. He says that every time that a black hole is created, gives rise to a new Universe. Then if you fall inside that black hole, you will go to that universe, that can has black holes that if collapses creates another universe..., and so on.
 
Last edited:
Energy is mass. There's no real difference between them, so there's no problem as regards energy and black holes.
 
I am sure i watched a programme on BBC a couple of years back that said that they think that most Galaxies do have a Black hole at the centre and that includes are own galaxy, not 100% sure about this though, certainly aint no expert.
 
Yeah, that's right (to my knowledge). Many galaxies, including our own, have a massive black hole at the centre (and possibly smaller black holes, too).
 
  • #10
Originally posted by demoremda
Hi guys this is my first message

WELCOME!

Can we assume that every spiral galaxy has a massive black hole at the center?

That seems to the be the trend in the new data. It's still a relatively new discovery though so there is still a lot more research to be done.

And why don't elliptical galaxys evolve like the spirals?

Galaxy formation is also an area of much research.
I've only skimmed the intro, but this seems to be an interesting scientific (very technical) paper on the subject...
http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/Franx/Franx_contents.html

Has anyone wondered were all the energy goes that gets sucked into a black hole?
Yep, many people have. :wink: My hunch is that it stays there.
 

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