Home > Astronomy > Life and Death of Stars

Why would an isolated black hole in space be difficult to detect?

Answer 1

Since not even light can escape a black hole, they are only visible due to their effect on other celestial bodies.

We see quasars, not black holes; we see the effect of gravity lenses, which is the distortion of light from passing galaxies by the black hole's gravity. If a black hole were isolated and had nothing to affect its gravity, we would not be able to see it.

The link to a gravity lensing simulation is now posted in the comments section below because I attempted to add it but it wouldn't work.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Clara Avalos

Since it emits no light or other electromagnetic radiation, an isolated black hole in space would be difficult to detect; its existence can only be inferred from indirect observations, such as gravitational effects on nearby objects or radiation emitted by matter falling into the black hole.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.