![]() ![]() This collapse also causes a supernova, or an exploding star, that blasts part of the star into space. Stellar black holes form when the center of a very massive star collapses in upon itself. Primordial black holes are thought to have formed in the early universe, soon after the big bang. It has a mass equal to about 4 million suns and would fit inside a ball with a diameter about the size of the sun. The supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy is called Sagittarius A. Scientific evidence suggests that every large galaxy contains a supermassive black hole at its center. The largest black holes are called "supermassive." These black holes have masses greater than 1 million suns combined and would fit inside a ball with a diameter about the size of the solar system. Scientific evidence shows that in the center of the Milky Way is a supermassive black hole. Dozens of stellar mass black holes may exist within the Milky Way galaxy.Īn artist's drawing shows the current view of the Milky Way galaxy. The most common type of medium-sized black holes is called "stellar." The mass of a stellar black hole can be up to 20 times greater than the mass of the sun and can fit inside a ball with a diameter of about 10 miles. Scientists believe this type of black hole is as small as a single atom but with the mass of a large mountain. The smallest ones are known as primordial black holes. ![]() The black hole's mass and size determine what kind it is. They can observe the behavior of material and stars that are very close to black holes.īlack holes can come in a range of sizes, but there are three main types of black holes. ![]() However, space telescopes with special instruments can help find black holes. Some black holes are a result of dying stars.īecause no light can escape, black holes are invisible. This compression can take place at the end of a star's life. The strong gravity occurs because matter has been pressed into a tiny space. Image Credit: NASA E/PO, Sonoma State University, Aurore SimonnetĪ black hole is a region in space where the pulling force of gravity is so strong that light is not able to escape. An artist's drawing shows a large stellar-mass black hole pulling gas away from a companion star. ![]()
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