https://www.npr.org/2019/04/10/71172338 ... black-hole
Contrary to my expectations, this is of the supermassive black hole at the center of M87, rather than the Milky Way’s Sagittarius A* (that should come soon, hopefully.) Also of note, they had to increase the estimate of its size from maybe 2-3 billion solar masses, to about 6.5 billion solar masses!
Here is a video that does a good job of explaining the ring of light we see around the black hole:
https://youtu.be/zUyH3XhpLTo
First actual image of a black hole released
- Deane Clark
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First actual image of a black hole released
Deane Clark
Eagle Lake Observatory keyholder
------------------------
I can quit any time I want. I just don't want to.
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Eagle Lake Observatory keyholder
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I can quit any time I want. I just don't want to.
www.aponon.org
- StefanPW
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
At first, it might seem odd that it's easier to see a black hole in another galaxy, about 2,000 times further away from our own supermassive black hole, and therefore ~4 million times dimmer... but here's the catch!
A black hole's event horizon radius is LINEARLY proportional to its mass, which means that, if the 6.5 billion estimate is correct, M87's central black hole is ~1,600 times wider than Sagittarius A*
M87's black hole is thus about 19 billion km in radius: ~130 AU, vs Sag A*'s ~0.08 AU.
M87's Blackhole is also rather active (as evidenced by its jet), while ours only flares occasionally.
Still, the angular size of the event horizon would be ~0.000016"
A black hole's event horizon radius is LINEARLY proportional to its mass, which means that, if the 6.5 billion estimate is correct, M87's central black hole is ~1,600 times wider than Sagittarius A*
M87's black hole is thus about 19 billion km in radius: ~130 AU, vs Sag A*'s ~0.08 AU.
M87's Blackhole is also rather active (as evidenced by its jet), while ours only flares occasionally.
Still, the angular size of the event horizon would be ~0.000016"
- StefanPW
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
Looks like they also captured an image of Sag A*, but it wasn't as widely published https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... k_hole.png
- SEmert
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
Veritasium soon followed up with a video showing the actual images of both the M87 supermassive black hole and the Milky Way's SgrA* supermassive black hole.Deane Clark wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:15 pm https://www.npr.org/2019/04/10/71172338 ... black-hole
Contrary to my expectations, this is of the supermassive black hole at the center of M87, rather than the Milky Way’s Sagittarius A* (that should come soon, hopefully.) Also of note, they had to increase the estimate of its size from maybe 2-3 billion solar masses, to about 6.5 billion solar masses!
Here is a video that does a good job of explaining the ring of light we see around the black hole:
https://youtu.be/zUyH3XhpLTo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_GVbuddri8
He also illustrated the method of using multiple telescopes to get the necessary angular resolution. Way cool to say the least!
Steve Emert
MAS Membership Coordinator
12.5" f/4.7 Obsession Clone Homemade Truss Dob, sometimes equipped with Celestron StarSense Explorer app
Celestron C8 SCT OTA on AVX GEQ mount
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Celestron 5" SCT OTA on Explore Scientific Twilight 1 Alt-Az Mount, usually equipped with StarSense Explorer app
Orion 150mm Mak OTA and Orion EQ-G computerized mount
MAS Membership Coordinator
12.5" f/4.7 Obsession Clone Homemade Truss Dob, sometimes equipped with Celestron StarSense Explorer app
Celestron C8 SCT OTA on AVX GEQ mount
Astro-Tech AT72 ED Refractor OTA usually on Explore Scientific Twilight 1 mount or tripod with Benro geared head
Celestron 5" SCT OTA on Explore Scientific Twilight 1 Alt-Az Mount, usually equipped with StarSense Explorer app
Orion 150mm Mak OTA and Orion EQ-G computerized mount
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
It's pretty sweet. I hope everyone appreciates the gravity of the news!Deane Clark wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2019 12:15 pm https://www.npr.org/2019/04/10/71172338 ... black-hole
Contrary to my expectations, this is of the supermassive black hole at the center of M87, rather than the Milky Way’s Sagittarius A* (that should come soon, hopefully.) Also of note, they had to increase the estimate of its size from maybe 2-3 billion solar masses, to about 6.5 billion solar masses!
Here is a video that does a good job of explaining the ring of light we see around the black hole:
https://youtu.be/zUyH3XhpLTo
- Dick Jacobson
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
The immediate surroundings of the black hole, outside the event horizon, strange as they are, are becoming familiar. What still blows my mind is thinking about the interior. I think it's incorrect when people talk about "infinite density". If you insist on sticking with 3-dimensional space, the density may increase without limit but there is never a moment when it makes the leap to infinity. Of course the physics is probably so strange and beyond our everyday intuition that 3-dimensional space and 1-dimensional time are useless in describing it. Will physicists ever agree on a theory that describes black holes to everyone's satisfaction (string theory? loop quantum gravity?)
30-inch homemade Newtonian with periscope
20-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian with periscope
14-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian
10-inch Newtonian that folds flat
6-inch Russian Maksutov-Newtonian on Vixen equatorial mount
Too many small scopes and binoculars to mention
20-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian with periscope
14-inch homemade equatorial Newtonian
10-inch Newtonian that folds flat
6-inch Russian Maksutov-Newtonian on Vixen equatorial mount
Too many small scopes and binoculars to mention
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
Here's a you tube video of Katie Bouman explaining how the data processing worked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7n2rYt9wfU
- Bsting
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
Last night attended a lecture by the UofAz team that was involved with the image.
They were involved with the MMT and South Pole part of the imaging as well as the software involved with the number crunching.
Each of the members got up and discussed their part in the event along with photos of the sites they were involved it.
Afterwards got a chance to chat with one of the members; Professor Ozel (see my selfie) who turned out of have attended the same high school as my cousin and where my Aunt and Uncle had been teachers of English years ago.
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They were involved with the MMT and South Pole part of the imaging as well as the software involved with the number crunching.
Each of the members got up and discussed their part in the event along with photos of the sites they were involved it.
Afterwards got a chance to chat with one of the members; Professor Ozel (see my selfie) who turned out of have attended the same high school as my cousin and where my Aunt and Uncle had been teachers of English years ago.
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Bernie Stinger
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- Deane Clark
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Re: First actual image of a black hole released
Gravity issues in Tucson last night?
Deane Clark
Eagle Lake Observatory keyholder
------------------------
I can quit any time I want. I just don't want to.
www.aponon.org
Eagle Lake Observatory keyholder
------------------------
I can quit any time I want. I just don't want to.
www.aponon.org