What is the heaviest thing in the universe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of what constitutes the heaviest object in the universe, exploring definitions of "thing" and "heavy." Participants consider various candidates, including supermassive black holes, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, while also addressing the implications of gravitational effects and density.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a super cluster of galaxies could be considered the heaviest "thing," while others propose supermassive black holes as the densest known objects.
  • There is a discussion about whether black holes can be considered "in the universe" due to their event horizons, with some asserting that their gravitational effects confirm their presence.
  • One participant emphasizes the distinction between "heaviness" (force due to gravity) and "mass," suggesting that answers should consider both aspects.
  • Another participant mentions that smaller black holes could be denser than supermassive black holes, depending on the interior mass distribution.
  • Pulsars are introduced as very dense objects, with some having significant mass and extreme gravitational forces, adding another layer to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on what the heaviest "thing" is, with multiple competing views presented regarding definitions and candidates for the title.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in definitions of "thing" and "heavy," as well as the need for clarity on the distinction between mass and gravitational force.

markf
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What's the heaviest thing in the universe?
 
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Define "thing" and define "heavy"

A super cluster of galaxies is probably the heaviest "thing" if you consider such a widely distributed thing a "thing." Otherwise supermassive black holes are the densest "things" we know, though the may not be the "heaviest"

EDIT: The Universe is the heaviest 'thing'! :D
 
I also wonder whether black holes are strictly 'in the universe' since they are behind an event horizon.
 
They definitely are, their gravitational effect can be felt in the universe. So in that sense, they are..
 
markf said:
What's the heaviest thing in the universe?

The most massive would be the biggest black hole, unless you want to call a galaxy a "thing."
 
Hope we can all agree that we really mean to be talking about the most massive, not the heaviest, "thing" -- whatever it is we mean by a thing.
mlgpawnstar said:
The Universe is the heaviest 'thing'! :D
That was my thinking too.
ImaLooser said:
The most massive would be the biggest black hole, unless you want to call a galaxy a "thing."
Why stop at a galaxy? How about a cluster of galaxies?
 
mlgpawnstar said:
Otherwise supermassive black holes are the densest "things" we know

Smaller black holes are even denser, unless you are speculating about the interior distribution of mass in your supermassive hole.

Btw, the OPs question is regarding heaviness (= force on an object due to gravity) and not about mass, so answers should include both an object and a gravitational field.
 
Redbelly98 said:
Hope we can all agree that we really mean to be talking about the most massive, not the heaviest, "thing" -- whatever it is we mean by a thing.

That was my thinking too.

Why stop at a galaxy? How about a cluster of galaxies?

OK, call it a thing if you like. I'm not going to argue about it, if you don't mind.
 
(In terms of density) They are not the "heaviest" but Pulsars are very dense as well. What makes them interesting is some pulsars around 20 km in diameter, can have 1.5X the mass of our sun, and have a rotation period of 1.4 milliseconds! Some can also have a gravitational force 2x10^12 times that of our own earth! Cool!
 

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