Comments on: A Black Hole Observed in the Heart of Mysterious Omega Centauri

By: John

John — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:34:14 +0000

I was wondering how long it would be before somebody found this particular black hole. It has always seemed like Omega Centauri was a prime candidate for a black hole. Congratulations to Eva Noyola and team. Well done.

By: marcellus

marcellus — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:32:06 +0000

A wonderful article!

The Omega Centauri globular cluste would then be to our Milky Way Galaxy what the dwarf elliptical NGC 205 (M110) is to the Andromeda Galaxy?

I would love to view it in a telescope.

By: Michael Booth

Michael Booth — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:46:16 +0000

Being from the southern climes (Tasmania)Omega Centauri is one of our most favourite deep space objects for viewing. When we have public viewing nights it is always guaranteed to get gasps of delight along with it's brother/sister Tucanae 47.

What a great discovery about the true nature if this object it will only serve to increase the fascination.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:46:11 +0000

So the universe began as a microscopic point of infinate engergy. The inflation period created space/time lowering the energy density of the universe. Energy was able to manifest itself into particles that had the property of mass and gravity. Gravity distorts space/time by reducing local inflation pressure. Concentrate mass enough and the gravity creates a "drain" where mass becomes compressed into an infinately dense point of energy again. A small piece of what the universe started out as. Can another inflation event happen to this black hole or does all the energy in our universe have to be concentrated into one black hole again?

I am just a Dad trying to help a kid understand this.

By: Eduardo MariÃ±o

Eduardo MariÃ±o — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:18:37 +0000

mmm sorry, that post was dreamed to other issue…

By: Eduardo MariÃ±o

Eduardo MariÃ±o — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:17:23 +0000

Rusty… you talk about debate the cuestion… I wonder if ANY person want debate the war (you know what war I name) Debate is a democratic issue that our country has forget many years ago.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:09:12 +0000

Doesn't the largest black holes simply indicate more mass, and completely irrelevant to age? (to me) I can envision one of the earliest of black holes created, relatively modest size, renegade and slowly drifting between galaxies…looking for trouble…

Also, I find the the heading of the article a bit misleading – can you "observe" a black hole without photons hitting the retina?
Cheers!

By: Peter K

Peter K — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:46:32 +0000

Barring Hawking's Radiation, isn't it pretty clear that a small/medium sized black hole would continue to grow dependant on the influx of matter? What's to stop a black hole from gaining mass if a star falls into it? Clearly (to me) the largest black holes are the oldest or the ones into which galaxies of stars have been sucked. What's the supposed divisive factor between sizes of BH's?

By: Allan Michael

Allan Michael — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:36:24 +0000

Thank you Astrofiend (Syd, Aust)

By: Astrofiend (Syd, Aust)

Astrofiend (Syd, Aust) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:52:27 +0000

"Allan Michael Says:
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 pm

I had not realized that there was some ambiguity as to the origins of mid-sized black holes as described in this article."

There was another good article on IMBH's in either Astronomy mag or Sky & Telescope mag not too long ago which is worth checking out if you're interested…

By: Allan Michael

Allan Michael — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:38:57 +0000

I had not realized that there was some ambiguity as to the origins of mid-sized black holes as described in this article.

Just when you think you've got it all figured out……

Another terrific article…..well done.