Why do images of black holes appear to be burning from the outside?

The accretion disk around a black hole makes it appear as if the material is burning because the material is swirling rapidly and giving off a lot of heat .

What is a black hole?

To understand why black holes 'burn,' we first need to understand what they are. Black holes are not 'holes' in space in the traditional sense, but rather regions of extremely strong gravity from which nothing, not even light, can escape . Matter sucked into a black hole is lost forever, leaving behind a huge mystery in the universe.

Scientists divide black holes into two main types:

1. Stellar mass black holes : These black holes form from the remains of massive stars after they die. They are relatively small, with temperatures of only a few million degrees Celsius. From a distance, they resemble 'cosmic embers' in space.
2. Supermassive black holes : These are cosmic giants, with masses millions to billions of times that of the Sun. As they devour matter, enormous amounts of energy are released from the surrounding accretion disk, creating the bright light we can observe from Earth.

Accretion disk: The origin of the black hole's "flame"

The burning phenomenon of black holes is closely related to the accretion disk, a rotating structure of matter surrounding the black hole. When stars, planets, or cosmic dust are sucked toward the black hole, they do not fall directly in but form a disk of matter that rotates at extremely high speeds.

A black hole accumulates matter from a nearby star.

As it rotates, the material in the accretion disk is compressed to extremely high temperatures, often exceeding the surface temperature of the Sun. As a result, the accretion disk emits X-rays, ultraviolet light, and visible light. It is this light that makes the black hole appear to be 'on fire,' even though the black hole itself does not emit light.

Event Horizon: Point of No Return

At the center of this ring of fire is the black hole itself, surrounded by the event horizon. This is the final boundary, where everything – including light – is drawn into the black hole and cannot escape. The event horizon does not glow, but it acts as an impassable barrier, hiding the enormous gravitational force and any strange events that await inside. Once something crosses this boundary, be it a star or even a speck of light, it is trapped inside the black hole forever. This is why black holes appear dark when we look at them from the outside.

Structure of a black hole.

Photon Ball: Distorted Light Effect

Around the event horizon, light from the accretion disk will be bent by the powerful gravitational pull, forming a structure called a photon sphere. This sphere is a perfect ring of light surrounding the black hole, adding another layer of brilliance to the scene.

The photon ball phenomenon is not only a visual wonder, but also a demonstration of Einstein's general theory of relativity. Light from the accretion disk is forced to follow the curve of space, creating the distorted images we can observe with modern telescopes.

Black holes and their role in the universe

Although the 'burning' appearance of black holes may evoke images of destruction, black holes actually play an important role in shaping the universe. They help control the rate at which stars form in galaxies, influence the evolution of galaxies, and even contribute to the redistribution of matter in space.

Supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, such as Sagittarius A* in the Milky Way, are giant cosmic 'broadcast stations ,' emitting huge amounts of energy through jets from their accretion disks. These observations help scientists understand how galaxies form and evolve over billions of years.

Black holes actually play an important role in shaping the universe.

In April 2019, scientists released the first image of a black hole, taken by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). The image shows a bright ring of light surrounding a dark region, evidence of the existence of the black hole and its surrounding accretion disk.

Advances in observational technology have opened up opportunities to study black holes in greater depth, from measuring their masses to tracking their interactions with their surroundings. These discoveries not only help answer fundamental questions about physics, but also reveal surprising insights into how the universe works.

Black Holes: Beauty from Destruction

Black holes, while a symbol of destruction, also have an aesthetic and mysterious side. Their 'burning' appearance is not only a physical phenomenon, but also a reminder of the sheer power of nature. From glowing accretion disks to photon orbs, they prove that even the most terrifying things can have a beautiful hidden side.

Exploring black holes is not just about seeing the unseen, it is also about expanding our understanding of the universe. In the future, as technology continues to advance, we can expect new discoveries that will reveal more mysteries about the universe's brightest "fires."