- The biggest supermassive black hole has been discovered by NASA in February 2016!!!
- In the center of the galaxy, NGC 4889, which is one of many in the Coma Cluster about 300 million light years away, this supermassive black hole has been noticed.
- According to NASA it’s 21 billion times the mass of the sun. Compared to our own black hole in the Milky Way which is about 4 million times the mass of the sun.
- The size was measured by the velocity of the stars moving around the black hole, since you can’t actually SEE the black hole itself.
- Why!?!?!? Because light cannot escape from a black hole, due to the gravitational pull.
- Right now this black hole is believed to be stationary and NOT expanding in size.
- The remaining gas that doesn’t fall into the black hole is calmly in orbit and forming new stars.
- However if this galaxy collides with another, that can cause the black hole to reactivate!! According to Roeland van der Mare.
Photo and information from: www.eastidahonews.com
Other information from: NASA.com, CNN.com
Supermassive black hole. NASA
