Black Holes are fascinating and terrifying astronomical objects that have an irresistible gravitational pull so strong that not even light can escape. When an object is consumed by a Black Hole, it vanishes without leaving any trace. Despite being invisible to the naked eye, the existence of Black Holes can be seen by the effects they have on surrounding matter, NASA has explained.
If you’re wondering which is the most massive Black Hole in the Universe, it’s TON 618. NASA has revealed that it tips the scales at 66 billion times the Sun’s mass! Located approximately 18.2 billion light-years from Earth, TON 618 is near the intersection of the Canes Venatici and Coma Berenices constellations. This distant object is responsible for powering a quasar, one of the most luminous entities in the known Universe, shining with the radiance of 140 trillion suns. Quasars are essentially supermassive Black Holes that actively devour matter, growing to colossal sizes through a process of merging with other Black Holes and gobbling up surrounding material.
Black Holes don’t emit or reflect light, making them effectively invisible to telescopes. However, NASA says the powerful gravitational field of a supermassive Black Hole can influence the motion of stars in its vicinity, causing them to orbit in a distinctive pattern. By observing the orbits of numerous stars in the central region of the Milky Way, astronomers have been able to confirm the presence of a supermassive Black Hole at its core.
To sum up, Black Holes may be terrifying, but they are fascinating entities worth learning about. TON 618 is currently the most massive Black Hole observed so far in the Universe, and with new advancements in technology, we are sure to continue discovering more about these amazing astronomical objects.
