Black Holes & Cosmology

Will The Night Sky Eventually End Up Completely Black Because The Universe Is Expanding?

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Have you ever gazed up at the night sky, marvelling at its vastness and beauty, and wondered if it will always remain this way? The universe is expanding, and this cosmic ballet has profound implications for the starlit canvas we hold dear. In this article, we delve into the heart of this astronomical phenomenon, addressing … Read more Will The Night Sky Eventually End Up Completely Black Because The Universe Is Expanding?

How Does A Black Hole Give Off Light?

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Black holes, the universe’s enigmatic giants, have long captivated our imagination, posing questions that seem almost paradoxical in nature. “How does a black hole give off light?” stands out as one of the most intriguing queries. Despite their reputation for devouring everything in their vicinity, black holes are not shrouded in complete darkness. This article … Read more How Does A Black Hole Give Off Light?

Why Does Everything In Our Galaxy Orbit The Supermassive Black Hole At The Center?

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Ever wondered why our galaxy behaves the way it does, with everything from stars to space dust dancing in a cosmic ballet around a central point? You’re not alone. This article dives deep into the heart of our galaxy to explore the supermassive black hole at its core, unravelling the mysteries of its gravitational pull … Read more Why Does Everything In Our Galaxy Orbit The Supermassive Black Hole At The Center?

How can you tell a black hole made out of antimatter from a black hole made out of matter?

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Diving into the cosmic wonders of the universe, we find ourselves grappling with the enigma of black holes, and the tantalizing possibility of their antimatter counterparts. But how can we distinguish a black hole formed from antimatter from one made of matter? This question not only tickles the curiosity of astronomers and physicists but also … Read more How can you tell a black hole made out of antimatter from a black hole made out of matter?

How can there be anything left in the universe? Don’t black holes suck everything in?

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To answer the second part of this question first: black holes do not suck everything in. Some objects can actually orbit black holes just like the earth orbits the sun: safely. This is possible because black holes have their own gravity just like our sun does, or like stars do in general. In fact, stars … Read more How can there be anything left in the universe? Don’t black holes suck everything in?

Does every black hole contain a singularity?

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This is an example of a question that has been influenced by science fiction literature and movies that seem to warp the truth on things like this for entertainment. But also, the science itself can be confusing. This answer will debunk the incorrect beliefs that we hold and also explain why they are wrong.So, do … Read more Does every black hole contain a singularity?

Can you go fast enough to get enough mass to become a black hole?

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To start with, your mass is not affected at all by the speed that you travel at. People tend to believe that objects gain mass as they travel at higher speeds, mainly because old textbooks and teachings have us believe that.  But according to Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity, this is simply not true.So why … Read more Can you go fast enough to get enough mass to become a black hole?

How is the HET uniquely capable of studying dark matter and dark energy?

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The way dark energy is normally measured is by mapping a large number of galaxies at specific redshifts. At this point, cosmologists have models that point to a specific redshift range where dark-energy started dominating the structure of the universe, so the goal of HETDEX and other dark-energy experiments is to map a large number of galaxies around … Read more How is the HET uniquely capable of studying dark matter and dark energy?

What is the hierarchy of structures in the Universe?

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What is the “hierarchy” of structures in the Universe? it seems that we have moon, then planet, then planetary system, then Galaxy, then maybe “several missing” in the hierarchy?, then universe. How many “several missing” structures would there be? And would all of them just be considered clusters within clusters? Or is the “galaxy” structure … Read more What is the hierarchy of structures in the Universe?

Are astronomers convinced that dark matter is the answer?

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Are astronomers convinced that dark matter is the answer? Is it likely that there is a simpler alternative theory to help explain why general relativity fails at galactic scales? I will answer the second question first: no. All the simpler alternatives have been tested and they fail to explain all the observations. It is very … Read more Are astronomers convinced that dark matter is the answer?