BY: LINDSAY PACHECO Black holes

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!