What is a supermassive black hole?
Q: What is a supermassive black hole?
A: A supermassive black hole (SMBH) is a black hole that has a mass between 105 and 1010 times greater than that of the Sun.
Q: How confident are scientists that galaxies have supermassive black holes at their centers?
A: Scientists are confident that almost all galaxies, including our own Milky Way, have a supermassive black hole at each of their centers.
Q: What is the difference between a regular black hole and a supermassive black hole?
A: The main difference between a regular black hole and a supermassive black hole is the mass; a supermassive black hole has a mass between 105 and 1010 times greater than that of the Sun, while a regular black hole's mass is much smaller.
Q: Are there any known supermassive black holes outside of galaxies?
A: There are no known supermassive black holes outside of galaxies, as they are typically found at the center of galaxies.
Q: Why are scientists interested in studying supermassive black holes?
A: Scientists are interested in studying supermassive black holes because they can provide insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies, as well as the properties and effects of black holes.
Q: Can a supermassive black hole be observed directly?
A: Currently, it is not possible to observe a supermassive black hole directly, as they do not emit any light; however, scientists can study their effects on surrounding matter to indirectly infer their presence.
Q: Is the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way particularly active?
A: Yes, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, called Sagittarius A*, is particularly active with frequent bursts of radiation and gas emissions.
