"Estimating the Age of a Black Hole"

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter rrchr
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Age Black hole Hole
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The age of a black hole (BH) cannot be determined directly but can be estimated using circumstantial evidence. Key factors include the age of the galaxy hosting a supermassive black hole, its mass, and the rate of infall of surrounding matter. While there are no definitive indicators, these elements provide bounds on the age of the black hole. Additionally, the size, mass, activity of infalling and outfalling matter, gravitational influence, and jet formation are critical in understanding a black hole's characteristics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of supermassive black holes and their role in galaxies
  • Knowledge of gravitational influence and its effects on surrounding matter
  • Familiarity with astrophysical measurements such as mass and size
  • Basic concepts of black hole formation and evolution
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the methods for estimating the mass of supermassive black holes
  • Learn about the relationship between galaxy age and black hole age
  • Explore the dynamics of infalling and outfalling matter around black holes
  • Investigate the formation and characteristics of jets emitted by black holes
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in black hole research and the dynamics of galaxies will benefit from this discussion.

rrchr
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Is it possible to know BH age?
 
Space news on Phys.org
rrchr said:
Is it possible to know BH age?

not by direct evidence, but one can tell something from circumstantial evidence.
If it is the supermassive black hole at a galaxy's center then the age of the galaxy should help tell something. Also the mass and estimated rate of infall should help give bounds on the age.
I doubt very much that there is any certain indicator.
 
G'day from the land of ozzzzzzzz

How big can a black hole grow?
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14653

Indian-American detects black holes with 10 billion times sun's mass
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/Science/20080912/1051159.html

Is there a minimum and a maximum size to stars and black holes?
http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q330.html

Age of a black hole is determined by:

Size, Mass, activity infalling matter, outfalling matter, gravitational influence on surroundings and the size of the jet formed.
 

Similar threads

High School Could Black Hole Collisions Trigger a Cyclical Big Bang and Universe Rebirth?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Undergrad Illuminating Black Hole Shadows with Dark Matter Annihilation
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
815
High School What happens to information inside a black hole?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
674
High School Questions about the Eddington Limit and Super - Eddington black holes
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
High School Could the source of dark energy be our parent black hole feeding?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Black hole mass coupled to expansion -- astrophysical source of dark energy?
  • · Replies 134 ·
5
Replies
134
Views
11K
Undergrad Seeking Visualization Tools for Hypothetical Black Hole Concept
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Evolution of the Universe in reverse
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
4K
Undergrad Falling into a massive black hole is not necessarily noticeable
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Does a contracting universe destroy its black holes?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K