• Question: what is inside the black hole

    Asked by rockyali22 to Mark, Gavin, Karen, Michel, Roisin on 10 Nov 2016. This question was also asked by Jessica T, Conor, 564xygg42, yyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeee bboii, 282xygg42.
    • Photo: Mark Kennedy

      Mark Kennedy answered on 10 Nov 2016:


      Difficult question!

      The first immediate problem is there are no black holes close to us that we could go inside of and have a look – they are all billions and billions of kilometers away.

      Now, imagine there was a black hole in our solar system – could we then find out what’s inside? Unfortunately not. The surface of a black hole is called the event horizon, and once you pass the event horizon, you’re never able to come back. Even worse than that, you can’t even transmit any data back through the event horizon! So if I sent you in a space ship into the black hole (and tidal forces didn’t tear you apart, see spaghettification https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghettification) then you would be able to see the centre of the black hole, but any video you try and send back to me, or any audio signals, will never get back out of the black hole! So I’ll never be able to figure out what’s inside!

    • Photo: Karen

      Karen answered on 12 Nov 2016:


      Marks area of expertise. I’m learning a lot here too!

    • Photo: Roisin Jones

      Roisin Jones answered on 14 Nov 2016:


      As Karen said, definitely Mark’s area of expertise, very interesting question though, and a great answer!

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