The First Image of a Black Hole: A Milestone in Astronomy Year Found: 2019
Found By: NASA
Location: M87
In 2019, astronomers achieved a groundbreaking milestone by capturing the first direct image of a supermassive black hole located at the center of the galaxy M87. This remarkable achievement marks the first time that scientists have successfully imaged a black hole, or more precisely, its "shadow."
The First Image of a Black Hole: Understanding Its Shadow Source: ©2DAssets/Shutterstock
Although black holes do not emit light, their immense gravitational pull bends and deflects light from nearby gas clouds. The image captured of the black hole in M87 was not taken using visible light; instead, it relies on the light that has been bent around the black hole. Occasionally, a ray of light can almost completely circle a black hole before escaping, ultimately reaching Earth. This phenomenon results in a dark, semi-shaded object surrounded by a ring of light.
