TOPIC: Spaghettification by BLACK HOLE
WHEN DOES SPAGHETTIFICATION OCCUR AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?
Introduction:
Black holes are objects from which even light cannot escape. They are massive but small in size
relative to their mass.
There is a general belief that when an object ventures too close to a black hole’s event horizon, it get
torn into spaghetti like shreds. This is due to the object’s proximity to the singularity that lies within
a black hole. However, we show here that this can only happen if the mass of the black hole is
relatively small. When the black hole is classified as supermassive this ‘spaghettification’ does not
occur. In addition, we will also outline different methods for detection of black holes with a special
focus on so-called ‘ gravitational lensing’ methods.
DO YOU KNOW HOW THE BLACK HOLES ARE FORMED?
Black holes are formed when a massive star undergoes supernover explosion. The stars collapsing in
itself and its gravity becomes infinitely strong that nothing can escape it.
SUPERNOVA: A SUPERNOVA IS A POWERFUL AND LUMINOUS EXPLOSION OF STAR.
Spaghettification Defined:
Spaghettification is defined as “...the vertical stretching and horizontal compression of objects into
long thin shapes...” which is caused by extreme tidal force from a black hole.
When an object ventures to close to a black hole, the significantly greater pull of the material closest
to the black hole makes that material fall significantly faster than the farthest material leading to a
‘stretching’ effect.
However, such an extreme difference between the tip and tail depends on the mass/size of the black
hole with smaller black holes leading to more extreme cases because such a large amount of mass
being compressed into a small area creates a greater gravitational gradient.
Size classification:
Black holes are classified by their size and whether or nor spaghettification will occur has to do with
the size of a black hole. If the black hole is classified as supermassive, you could pass through the
event horizon without being spaghettified. This, however, is not the case if it is classified as a stellar
or micro black hole.
Class [Link] [Link]
Supermassive 105-1010 Mass of Sun 0.001-400
Astronomical Units=1.5 10^8
km
Intermediate-Mass 103MSun 103km=REarth
Stellar 10MSun 30 km
Micro up to Mass of Moon Up to 0.1 mm
Methods of detection:
Researchers use two main methods to detect black holes:
#[Link] Lensing:
-It is particularly difficult to spot a black hole without an accretion disk. Through gravitational lensing
we are able to spot a black hole by its immense gravity distorting the light coming from objects it is
passing in front of (i.e., a galaxy)
#2.X-Ray Emission from Binary Star System:
-In a binary star system, if one of the stars becomes a black hole, it will slowly begin tearing the gas
away from its sibling star. As the gas spirals toward the event horizon, it is heated by the tidal forces
of the black hole and the friction of the gas molecules rubbing together. This forms an accretion disk
that emits light and X-Rays making it easier for scientists to spot.
DO YOU KNOW HOW SCIENTISTS RESEARCH ABOUT IT??
In order to observe spaghettification taking place, scientists must find a black hole using one of the
methods referenced above. Scientists will then collect data on how the black hole interacts with the
matter around it. When a black hole comes to close to another celestial body, spaghettification
occurs.
The tidal forces from the black holes singularity are so strong that they will pull massive star into
spaghetti like strands. How quickly this happens depends on the tensile force of the star. Black holes
have a gravitational force that nothing can escape, whether it be an astronaut, an entire star, or
even light itself.
Spaghettification event observed:
-This is the closest known spaghettification event happening at just 215 million light-years from
Earth.
-Scientists were able to observe the spaghettification for about six months.
-Methods used to view this occurrence took place in ultraviolet, optical, X-ray and radio
wavelengths.
Illustration of what this event may have looked like:
THE MYTH OF SPAGHETTIFICATION BY BLACK HOLE:
It is a common misconception that no matter the size of the black hole, any object that wanders to
close will be spaghettified . This is not the case.
The spaghettification is dependent on several conditions:
[Link] size of the black hole(Schwarzschild Radius).
[Link] tensile strength of the object.
In conclusion, it is possible to enter a supermassive black hole’s event horizon and return without
being spaghettified however, if the black hole is classified as stellar or micro, the objects probability
of being spaghettified before it even reaches the event horizon is very likely.
FACTS-
1)In our universe there are appox 100 billion supermassive black holes.
2)Black hole mass can be upto 20 times or even more than that as compared to sun.
3)A human undergoing spaghettification would likely die in less than a second.