5
votes
3answers
108 views

Is it possible to have a singularity with zero mass?

A singularity, by the definition I know, is a point in space with infinite of a property such as density. Density is Mass/Volume. Since the volume of a singularity is 0, then the density will thus ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views

Why photons can't escape black hole? [duplicate]

Photons do not have (rest) mass. Then why are they attracted by the black hole? And is it possible that a photon crossing a black hole from a little distance could get accelerated due to the force?
4
votes
2answers
168 views

Does the Chandrasekhar Limit scale for a Black Hole?

No physicist/astrophysicist I; All I know about the Chandrasekhar limit is that it apparently limits the mass a star may survive, beyond which it degenerates to a neutron star, or a black-hole. Does ...
1
vote
2answers
245 views

Why do photons add mass to a black hole?

Why do photons add mass to a black hole? When photons are taken irreversibly into a black hole does the mass of the BH increase?
0
votes
1answer
59 views

Is mass of the parent star is equal to the mass of the born blackhole

I want to know whether mass of the black hole which has born from a star is similar to its parent star or not. whether the born black hole will have high or low mass comparing to its parent star. ...
2
votes
1answer
118 views

The role of dark matter in black holes and star formation

In my understanding, there exists a critical mass for which a star needs to be in order for it to collapse into a black hole. This also applies to a certain critical density of gas in order for stars ...
1
vote
1answer
216 views

The Strength Of A Black Hole

Does the gravitational strength of a black hole at its singularity change the more it pulls things into it?
2
votes
1answer
227 views

Mass of Milky Way Supermassive Black Hole

I am looking at data from Andrea Ghez (2005; ADS link) which states the mass of the supermassive black hole in the MW. Here's what I don't understand: She reports the value as $3.7 \times 10^6 ...
3
votes
1answer
387 views

What happens to a photon in a black hole?

Assume a photon enters the event horizon of a black hole. The gravity of the black hole will draw the photon into the singularity eventually. Doesn't the photon come to rest and therefore lose it's ...
1
vote
3answers
207 views

Formation of black holes

If stars start with a finite density and light can escape from them, how can they be compacted to form a mass with infinite density which light cannot escape? The black hole will have the same mass as ...
12
votes
3answers
3k views

How do we determine the mass of a black hole?

Since by definition we cannot observe black holes directly, how do astronomers determine the mass of a black hole? What observational techniques are there that would allow us to determine a black ...
11
votes
4answers
875 views

Why does a black hole have a finite mass?

I mean besides the obvious "it has to have finite mass or it would suck up the universe." A singularity is a dimensionless point in space with infinite density, if I'm not mistaken. If something is ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views

If the universe were compressed into a super massive black hole, how big would it be?

I understand only a little of general relativity, but that's why I'm here! :) Consider the hypothetical situation of some extra-terrestrial intelligence pushing all the mass in the universe, every ...