Supermassive black holes

Definition

Supermassive black holes are extremely large black holes, typically found at the centers of galaxies, including our Milky Way. They have masses ranging from millions to billions of times that of our Sun and significantly influence their galactic environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Supermassive black holes are thought to be present in the center of nearly every large galaxy.
2. The supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way is called Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*).
3. These black holes can affect the motion of stars and gas clouds in their vicinity due to their immense gravitational pull.
4. Evidence for supermassive black holes comes from observing high-velocity stars orbiting an invisible massive object.
5. Supermassive black holes can emit powerful jets and radiation when they accrete matter, making them detectable by astronomers.

Review Questions

• What is the name of the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy?
• How do astronomers detect the presence of a supermassive black hole in a galaxy?
• What impact do supermassive black holes have on their surrounding environments?

Related terms

Event Horizon: The boundary around a black hole beyond which no light or other radiation can escape.

Accretion Disk: A rotating disk of matter formed by material falling into a gravitational source such as a star or black hole.

Sagittarius A*: The designation for the supermassive black hole located at the center of the Milky Way galaxy.