Looking Up at the Photon Sphere
The first frame is dark as you peer into the black hole itself. You begin to look up and stars come back into view. Now the stars are more blue than ever before as starlight that has fallen into the black hole to reach you has become more energetic. You may notice many dim stars […] The post Looking Up at the Photon Sphere appeared first on NASA Science .
When gazing into the heart of a black hole, the first thing you notice is a black void. As you turn your gaze upward, stars gradually reappear. These stars appear more vibrant and blue than usual, for the starlight that has fallen into the black hole to reach you has gained energy.
Scattered above the darkness, you may observe numerous faint stars. These are stars that have been greatly diminished in brightness by the black hole's immense gravitational pull. Additionally, some stars you see directly in front of you might seem to be located behind the black hole. This intriguing phenomenon occurs because the starlight from these stars has been deflected around the black hole's far side.
It's crucial to understand that no starlight can penetrate the black hole from below. This is due to the black hole's tremendous gravitational force, which prevents any light from escaping its grasp. Essentially, any light that crosses the photon sphere and enters the black hole cannot find its way back out. In this regard, the photon sphere serves as a one-way portal for light, with all light entering it destined to remain trapped within the black hole.
To delve deeper into this captivating phenomenon, you can watch the movie segment titled "Looking Up at the Photon Sphere." Alternatively, explore the next movie segment, "Circling the Black Hole at the Photon Sphere." For a more in-depth understanding, consider reading the American Journal of Physics article on this subject. Don't forget to revisit the Virtual Trips to Black Holes and Neutron Stars page, where you can continue your cosmic journey.
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- Circling the Black Hole at the Photon Sphere science.nasa.gov
