BY: LINDSAY PACHECO

1. BY: LINDSAY PACHECO Black holes

2. Definition of a “black hole” • A region of space having a gravitational pull so intense that no matter or radiation can escape.

3. What are black holes? • A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that not even light can get out. • The gravity is so strong because so much matter has been squeezed into a tiny space.

4. What makes black holes? • After a star runs out of fuel, it can no longer support itself. • The pressure from the star’s massive layers of hydrogen presses down on it. This makes the star smaller and smaller. • Eventually, the star gets to be about the size of an atom!

5. How can we see black holes? • Since no light can come out of the black hole (hence “black” hole), we can’t physically see black holes because they’re invisible. • We can, however, use space telescopes with special tools to help find them.

6. Could a black hole destroy the earth? • No, because a black hole isn’t close enough to the earth. • Even if a black hole with the same mass of the sun took the place of the sun, we wouldn’t fall in. • This is because, since it would be the same mass, we’d just continue to orbit it like it was the sun. • The sun could never turn into a black hole anyway, it’s too small.

7. Black Hole Fun Facts • There are currently 14 known black holes. • The closest known black hole to Earth is 8,000 light years away. • When black holes age they grow in mass because of the matter they suck in. • Black hole can have the mass of several million suns!