• Question: How are black holes formed How long does it take to build a spacesuit

    Asked by 962spce38 to Niamh, Ned, Laurence, Colin, Aisling on 29 Feb 2016. This question was also asked by gummy bear, 956spce38.
    • Photo: Ned Dwyer

      Ned Dwyer answered on 29 Feb 2016:


      I have absolutely no idea how a black hole is formed. I´d have to Google that meself!

    • Photo: Colin Shirran

      Colin Shirran answered on 2 Mar 2016:


      This doesn’t happen to every star only ones that have become too large. Once a really big star begins to die, the energy it is producing from the center out begins to reduce and so it can’t fight against the gravity from the star trying to pull it all towards it’s center. Once this becomes to great the star collapses on itself and a black hole is formed. That it is just a basic description of what is happening so it may be a little off. Hope this helps!

    • Photo: Laurence O'Rourke

      Laurence O'Rourke answered on 2 Mar 2016:


      Basically a star collapsing under its own gravity so the more it shrinks in on itself the more the black hole is formed. Some say we have one at the centre of our galaxy – I agree with them. Two weeks ago it was announced that the merging of two black holes could be seen by measuring a gravitational wave coming from space (like an ocean wave but instead of water it’s gravity flowing). Black holes are cool so good question.

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