How long does it take for a black hole to devour a star?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the time it takes for a black hole to consume a star, given specific parameters like the mass of both objects and their distance. Knowledge of these factors could theoretically allow for calculations regarding the consumption duration, contingent on the rate at which the star loses mass. The star's reaction to this mass loss is crucial, as it may shrink and enter its Roche lobe, halting further material transfer to the black hole. The complexities of stellar dynamics and gravitational interactions play a significant role in this process. Understanding these elements is essential for predicting the fate of stars near black holes.
tkav1980
Messages
47
Reaction score
1
I just read an article on Discovery.com that a black Hole was discovered in the process of destroying an unfortunate star that wandered too close. My question is, If you know the mass of the star, the mass of the black hole, and the distance between them can you calculate how long it will take for the star to be fully devoured by the black hole?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I would think so as long as those details gave us knowledge of how fast the materials was being stolen from the star. Whether they do or not, I don't know.
 
A lot depends on how the star reacts to losing mass. It is possible that in the process of giving up mass to the BH, the star will shrink to a point where it is within its own Roche lobe, and when that happens, it will stop losing matter to the BH.
 

Thread 'Potential biosignature found in Mars rock'

Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
View full post »

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Is it possible for a giant star to have a black hole inside it?
Replies
11
Views
3K
B What keeps most galactic stars from falling into the centeral black hole?
Replies
6
Views
2K
B Stars massive enough to evolve into black holes
Replies
5
Views
3K
I Where Are the Missing Black Holes in the Milky Way?
2
Replies
87
Views
9K
I The initial density of an object and its compression into a black hole
Replies
17
Views
4K
I How Does the Size of Neutron Stars Compare to Black Holes?
Replies
48
Views
5K
B Question regarding supermassive black holes in the early Universe
Replies
1
Views
2K
Gravitational effect of a black hole based on distance
Replies
9
Views
3K
I How close is Earth to the closest black hole?
2
Replies
79
Views
12K
Stellar-mass black hole formation sequence
Replies
30
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top