That would depend on the size of the black hole. For a small black hole, it would be ripped apart (sphagettified) by tidal forces before ever getting to the event horizon. For a large black hole it would be sphagettified some time after it entered the event horizon, also by tidal forces.Enjamiering said:What would happen if you were to fly a starship traveling near the speed of light directly into a black hole?
Would it stay in tact because it cannot be accelerating any faster?
Or would it split because it's being accelerated in all directions simultaneously?
He's asking whether, at ~c, the craft can spaghettify. And if so, how?phinds said:That would depend on the size of the black hole. For a small black hole, it would be ripped apart (sphagettified) by tidal forces before ever getting to the event horizon. For a large black hole it would be sphagettified some time after it entered the event horizon, also by tidal forces.
Traveling near the speed of light relative to what? The black hole?Enjamiering said:What would happen if you were to fly a starship traveling near the speed of light directly into a black hole?
Speed is restricted to no greater than the speed of light- not acceleration.Would it stay in tact because it cannot be accelerating any faster?
Being torn apart means that the pieces are accelerating (and gaining speed) relative to each other. But they start out with 0 speed relative to each other. The fact that the ship is near c relative to the black hole is irrelevant.Or would it split because it's being accelerated in all directions simultaneously?