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"Event Horizon Telescope reveals
Messier 87 black hole: 6.5 billion solar masses, spanning solar system width. A
cosmic milestone achieved. #EHT #Messier87" |
Black holes are some
of the most enigmatic objects in the universe. They possess such immense
density that even light cannot escape their gravitational pull. However, it has
been suggested that black holes can emit "sounds" in a sense.
In 2003, astronomers
made a fascinating discovery: pressure waves emanating from a supermassive
black hole at the center of the Perseus galaxy cluster created ripples in the
cluster's hot gas. While these ripples translate into a note, it's important to
note that it is far beyond the range of human hearing. In fact, the note is an
astonishing 57 octaves below middle C, making it practically impossible for us
to perceive.
Recently, in 2022,
NASA released a "sonification" of the sound waves from the Perseus
black hole. Sonification is a process that converts astronomical data into
sound, allowing researchers and the public to experience the data in a
different way. The resulting sound is a deep, rumbling roar reminiscent of a
jet engine or a distant thunderclap.
It's crucial to
understand that the sound we hear in these sonifications is not what one would
experience if they were close to a black hole. In reality, the intensity of the
sound waves near a black hole would be so extreme that they would obliterate our
eardrums. However, sonification gives us a unique opportunity to imagine what
it might be like to "hear" a black hole.
To clarify how black
holes "make sounds," it's important to note that they don't produce
sounds in the conventional sense. Since they lack vocal cords or any air-based
medium, they cannot emit air vibrations. Nevertheless, black holes can create
sound waves by emitting pressure waves.
When a black hole
accretes matter, it generates gravitational waves. These waves, which move at
the speed of light, can cause ripples in space-time, subsequently creating
pressure waves in the surrounding gas.
The frequency of the
sound waves produced by black holes is extremely low. This means that they have
extremely long wavelengths, with the sound waves from the Perseus black hole
having a staggering wavelength of approximately 10 million light-years.
Despite the intriguing
nature of black hole sounds, it's crucial to emphasize that humans cannot
directly hear them. The frequency of these sound waves is so low that our ears
cannot detect them. However, by sonifying the data, scientists and enthusiasts
can gain an imaginative glimpse into the soundscape of these cosmic wonders.
The sound of a black
hole serves as a reminder of the astonishing power and mystery that these
objects hold. It also highlights the incredible ingenuity of astronomers who
consistently find new and innovative methods to study and comprehend the vast
expanse of the universe.
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