Collaboration Across Cultures Global Astronomy: Collaboration Across Cultures

Science in the Media - Session 1: Black Hole Research

Artist's conception of a black hole
Artist's conception of matter swirling around a black hole.
Image Credit: NASA

Directions

Today you are going to learn all about black holes. Use the links below to answer the questions about black holes. Be sure to note which web site(s) you've used to answer each question, in case you need to go back for more information.

Links

Questions to answer

  1. What is a black hole?
  2. How do we "see" black holes?
  3. There are two kinds of black holes: stellar-mass (or galactic) and supermassive. What's the difference between the two?
  4. How do stellar-mass black holes form?
  5. Do all stars become stellar-mass black holes? Why or why not?
  6. How do supermassive black holes form?
  7. Why do black holes create streaming jets of matter?
  8. How does X-ray radiation help scientists better understand black holes?


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