Scientists are going to shoot the first ever black hole video

In April 2019, the world first saw a photographblack hole. The incredible size of the space monster - a supermassive black hole in the center of the galaxy Messier 87 (M87) - ushered in a new era of observation of space objects. Soon we will know more about them than ever. Meanwhile, an international team of scientists is not going to stop there. Last week, it became known that next year, researchers intend to present the world with a video of a black hole. But how are they going to do this, and what will we see?

On the image is shown the center of the elliptical galaxy M87

How was a black hole photographed?

To begin with, black holes are invisible - thesespace objects absorb electromagnetic radiation. And this means that no matter what telescope we use, none of the existing tools today can detect a black hole. The only chance astronomers can make out is the “event horizon” —a place outside the black hole where no object, even a photon of light, can get out. And the scientists succeeded.

Located on different continents, eight telescopesEvent Horizon Telescope measured radiation emanating from a black hole. Having received all the necessary data, scientists processed the information on the supercomputer for two whole years, after which they showed the world the first ever photograph of this previously hypothetical object. What did you think when you first saw the picture of a black hole? Let's discuss this in our Telegram chat.

The famous picture of a black hole in the center of the galaxy M87

The elliptical galaxy M87 is located from us withyou at a distance of 53.5 million light years. This is incredibly far, in terms of cleanliness. So the researchers turned their attention to the black hole in the heart of the Milky Way. In addition, she recently behaved strangely. But how are scientists going to shoot this almost invisible object on video, and most importantly, why?

The search for the black hole

A black hole rotates like planets. And because of her incredibly strong gravity, she distorts the space around her. The observation of this truly strange effect of the rotation of space itself is one of the holy grails of astrophysics.

To make a video, internationalA team of 347 scientists plans to deploy ground-based telescopes in Greenland, France, and parts of Africa. Among other things, in addition to ground surveys, researchers are planning to send three small satellites into orbit of the Earth. All together will create a real super telescope, capable of making clear images of a black hole in the center of our galaxy.

Map of Event Horizon telescopes (source: BBC news)

Note that initially scientists gatheredto photograph a black hole in the center of the Milky Way, however, due to the fact that the field of view of telescopes is limited, and the object in the center of our galaxy moves very quickly, the choice of scientists fell on the elliptical galaxy M87.

Read also: A space hotel with artificial gravity will appear in orbit soon

Breakthrough Prize Foundation Last Weekpaid a team of scientists a cash prize of $ 3 million. The funds received will allow scientists to create huge virtual telescopes and build new radio communications around the world.

What will happen in the video with a black hole

Let's not bother you: scientists want a clear picture of how a black hole absorbs everything around it because of gravity. Astronomers have said that all the necessary data has already been received and again thanks to the Event Horizon network of telescopes. Researchers intend to make a video and show it to the whole world no earlier than 2020.

So by the end of the next decadescientists will be able to make high-quality films about black holes in real time. And we will see with our own eyes how exactly not only black holes look, but also how they behave on the space scene. We believe we will like it.

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