The environment around non-spinning black holes

3D ModelNoAI

Schematic representation of a non-spinning black hole (BH). The black sphere indicates the event horizon, a point of no return where matter, energy, any information cannot escape the gravity of the BH. The event horizon hides a singularity, a point at the center of the BH where matter has collapsed. According to general relativity, the mass density in the singularity should be infinite and this may indicate the breakdown of current theories. A BH can be surrounded by a disk of very hot material that may orbit at very high speeds. The multi-wavelength emission from the hot gas of the disk allows to unveil the presence of a BH. Part of the disk material crosses the event horizon, whilst other parts may power jets of particles and radiation that blast out from the BH poles almost at the speed of light. A stable orbit around a BH is possible close to the event horizon. A hypothetical planet may safely stay in this orbit without the risk to cross the event horizon.

Credit: INAF/OAPA.