Supermassive black holes: most powerful objects in the universe | Martin Gaskell | TEDxMeritAcademy
TEDx Talks・13 minutes read
Reverend John Mitchell proposed black holes in 1783, confirmed by David Finklestein in 1958 through gravitational influence. Supermassive black holes in distant galaxies were observed emitting light by William Herschel, producing energy equivalent to millions of supernovas by acting as powerful energy sources in the universe.
Insights
- Black holes were first theorized by Reverend John Mitchell in 1783, and their existence was later confirmed by David Finklestein in 1958 through gravitational influence detection.
- Supermassive black holes, observed in distant galaxies, are incredibly powerful energy sources, converting gravitational potential energy into motion energy through accretion disks formed by gas spiraling into them.
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Recent questions
What did Reverend John Mitchell propose in 1783?
Reverend John Mitchell proposed the existence of objects with gravity so strong that even light couldn't escape, now known as black holes. Mitchell's paper to the Royal Society laid the foundation for the concept of black holes, which are regions in space where gravity is so intense that nothing, not even light, can escape their pull.
How did David Finklestein confirm black holes' existence in 1958?
David Finklestein used Einstein's theory to confirm the existence of black holes by detecting them through their gravitational influence. By applying Einstein's equations to the study of black holes, Finklestein was able to provide evidence for the presence of these mysterious cosmic entities.
What did William Herschel observe in distant galaxies?
William Herschel, a friend of Reverend John Mitchell, unknowingly observed light emitted by gas spiraling into supermassive black holes in distant galaxies. Herschel's observations of this phenomenon contributed to the understanding of the presence of supermassive black holes in the universe.
How do supermassive black holes produce energy?
Supermassive black holes produce energy similarly to a hydroelectric dam, converting gravitational potential energy into motion energy. The energy output of active galactic nuclei like Cen A was calculated to be equivalent to 100 million supernova explosions, leading to the hypothesis of supermassive black holes as powerful energy sources in the universe.
What did Donald Lyndon Bell's research confirm?
Research by Donald Lyndon Bell and others confirmed the presence of supermassive black holes in the centers of massive galaxies, including the Milky Way. Gas spiraling into these supermassive black holes forms accretion disks due to viscosity, generating heat and brilliant light, making black holes the most powerful energy sources in the universe.
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Summary
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Discovery of Supermassive Black Holes in Universe
- In 1783, Reverend John Mitchell presented a paper to the Royal Society proposing the existence of objects with gravity so strong that even light couldn't escape, now known as black holes.
- David Finklestein in 1958 used Einstein's theory to confirm black holes' existence, detectable by their gravitational influence.
- William Herschel, a friend of Mitchell, unknowingly observed light emitted by gas spiraling into supermassive black holes in distant galaxies.
- Astronomers in the 20th century detected hot gas moving rapidly in galaxy nuclei, indicating supermassive black holes.
- The energy output of active galactic nuclei like Cen A was calculated to be equivalent to 100 million supernova explosions, leading to the hypothesis of supermassive black holes.
- Supermassive black holes produce energy similarly to a hydroelectric dam, converting gravitational potential energy into motion energy.
- 3C273, initially thought to be a star, was identified as a distant active galactic nucleus, showcasing brightness hundreds of times greater than entire galaxies.
- Research by Donald Lyndon Bell and others confirmed the presence of supermassive black holes in the centers of massive galaxies, including the Milky Way.
- Gas spiraling into supermassive black holes forms accretion disks due to viscosity, generating heat and brilliant light, making black holes the most powerful energy sources in the universe.
