🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 175 (from laksa129)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa175.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/","crawl_time":1775617909,"first_indexed_time":1695951009,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"gov,nasa!science,\/universe\/black-holes\/ s443","src_root_hash":"12871711242003294575","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Black Holes - NASA Science","meta_descriptions":["Black holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Black holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge concentrations of matter packed into very tiny spaces. A black hole is so dense that gravity just beneath its surface, the event horizon, is strong enough that nothing – not even light – can escape. The event horizon isn’t a surface like Earth’s or even the Sun’s. It’s a boundary that contains all the matter that makes up the black hole.\nThere is much we don’t know about black holes, like what matter looks like inside their event horizons. However, there is a lot that scientists\ndo\nknow about black holes.\nFinding Black Holes\nBlack holes don’t emit or reflect light, making them effectively invisible to telescopes. Scientists primarily detect and study them based on how they affect their surroundings:\nBlack holes can be surrounded by rings of gas and dust, called accretion disks, that emit light across many wavelengths, including X-rays.\nA supermassive black hole’s intense gravity can cause stars to orbit around it in a particular way. Astronomers tracked the orbits of several stars near the center of the Milky Way to prove it houses a supermassive black hole, a discovery that won the 2020 Nobel Prize.\nWhen very massive objects accelerate through space, they create ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves. Scientists can detect some of these by the ripples’ effect on detectors.\nMassive objects like black holes can bend and distort light from more distant objects. This effect, called gravitational lensing, can be used to find isolated black holes that are otherwise invisible.\nBlack Holes Are Not ...\nWormholes. They don’t provide shortcuts between different points in space, or portals to other dimensions or universes.\nCosmic vacuum cleaners. Black holes don’t suck in other matter. From far enough away, their gravitational effects are just like those of other objects of the same mass.\nBlack holes - what are they really? Learn this and more with “Astro-Investigates,” the video series that explores and explains big astrophysics topics with the help of NASA scientists.\nNASA\nEssential Black Hole Facts\n01\nClosest\nThe nearest known black hole, called Gaia BH1, is about 1,500 light-years away.\n02\nFarthest\nThe most distant black hole detected, at the center of a galaxy called QSO J0313-1806, is around 13 billion light-years away.\n03\nBiggest\nThe most massive black hole observed, TON 618, tips the scales at 66 billion times the Sun’s mass.\n04\nSmallest\nThe lightest-known black hole is only 3.8 times the Sun’s mass. It’s paired up with a star.\n05\nSpaghettification\nA real term that describes what happens when matter gets too close to a black hole. It’s squeezed horizontally and stretched vertically, resembling a noodle.\n06\nSpin\nAll black holes spin. The fastest-known – named GRS 1915+105 – clocks in at over 1,000 rotations per second.\n07\nParticle accelerators\nMonster black holes at the centers of galaxies can launch particles to near light speed.\n08\nGravity's the same\nIf you replaced the Sun with a black hole of the same mass, the solar system would get a lot colder, but the planets would stay in their orbits.\n09\nStar booms\nOne type of black hole is born when massive stars run out of fuel and explode in supernovae.\n10\nNot so rare\nMost Milky Way-sized galaxies have monster black holes at their centers. Our is called Sagittarius A* (pronounced ey-star), and it’s 4 million times the Sun’s mass.\nKeep Exploring\nDiscover More Topics From NASA","attrs_markdown":"[![NASA Logo](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa-child\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo@2x.png)](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/)\n\n- Explore\n\n[![NASA Logo](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa-child\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo@2x.png)](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/)\n\n- News & Events\n  - [Recently Published](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/recently-published\/)\n  - [Video Series on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n  - [Podcasts & Audio](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts-and-audio\/)\n  - [Blogs](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-blogs\/)\n  - [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/newsletters\/)\n  - [Social Media](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/socialmedia\/)\n  - [Media Resources](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/nasa-media-contacts\/)\n- Multimedia\n  - [Images](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/images\/)\n  - [Videos on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n  - [Interactives](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-interactive-features\/)\n  - [NASA Apps](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/apps\/)\n  - [Podcasts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts\/)\n  - [e-Books](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ebooks\/)\n  - [STEM Multimedia](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/search\/?terms=8058%2C8059%2C8061%2C8062%2C8068)\n- [NASA+](https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/)\n\n## Suggested Searches\n- [Climate Change](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Climate%20Change)\n- [Artemis](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Artemis)\n- [Expedition 64](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Expedition%2064)\n- [Mars perseverance](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Mars%20perseverance)\n- [SpaceX Crew-2](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=SpaceX%20Crew-2)\n- [International Space Station](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=International%20Space%20Station)\n- [View All Topics A-Z](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/a-to-z-topics-listing\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Missions](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/)\n- [Humans in Space](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n- [The Solar System](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/)\n- [The Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Aeronautics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/technology\/)\n- [Learning Resources](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/)\n- [About NASA](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n- [Español](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/es\/)\n- [News & Events](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/)\n- [Multimedia](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/)\n- [NASA+](https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e008486\/art002e008486~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)11 min read NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions article 3 days ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/nasa-answers-your-most-pressing-artemis-ii-questions\/)\n\n[![NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/suit-patch.jpg?w=1024)11 min read NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda article 4 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/nasas-artemis-ii-moon-mission-daily-agenda\/)\n\n[![Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-02-03-screenshot-258-2560x1440-1.jpg?w=1024)3 min read Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time article 1 month ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-2\/track-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-in-real-time\/)\n\nBack\n***\n\n[Missions](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/)\n\n- [Search All NASA Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/)\n- [A to Z List of Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/a-to-z-of-nasa-missions\/)\n- [Upcoming Launches and Landings](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/events\/)\n- [Spaceships and Rockets](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/spaceships-and-rockets\/)\n- [Communicating with Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/)\n- [Artemis](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/)\n- [James Webb Space Telescope](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/)\n- [Hubble Space Telescope](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/hubble\/)\n- [International Space Station](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/)\n- [OSIRIS-REx](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/osiris-rex\/)\n\n[Humans in Space](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/)\n\n- [Why Go to Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/why-go-to-space\/)\n- [Astronauts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/)\n- [Commercial Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/commercial-space\/)\n- [Destinations](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/destinations\/)\n- [Spaceships and Rockets](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/spaceships-and-rockets\/)\n- [Living in Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/living-in-space\/)\n\n[Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n\n- [Explore Earth Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/)\n- [Climate Change](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/climate-change\/)\n- [Earth, Our Planet](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/facts\/)\n- [Earth Science in Action](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/in-action\/)\n- [Earth Multimedia](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/multimedia\/)\n- [Earth Data](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/)\n- [Earth Science Researchers](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/)\n\n[The Solar System](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/)\n\n- [The Sun](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/sun\/)\n- [Mercury](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mercury\/)\n- [Venus](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/venus\/)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n- [The Moon](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/moon\/)\n- [Mars](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/)\n- [Jupiter](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/jupiter\/)\n- [Saturn](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/saturn\/)\n- [Uranus](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/uranus\/)\n- [Neptune](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/neptune\/)\n- [Pluto & Dwarf Planets](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/dwarf-planets\/)\n- [Asteroids, Comets & Meteors](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/asteroids-comets-meteors\/)\n- [The Kuiper Belt](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/kuiper-belt\/)\n- [The Oort Cloud](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/oort-cloud\/)\n- [Skywatching](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/skywatching\/)\n\n[The Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n\n- [Exoplanets](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/exoplanets\/)\n- [The Search for Life in the Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/search-for-life\/)\n- [Stars](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/)\n- [Galaxies](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/)\n- [Black Holes](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/)\n- [The Big Bang](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/the-big-bang\/)\n- [Dark Matter](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/dark-matter\/)\n- [Dark Energy](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/dark-energy\/)\n\n[Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n\n- [Earth Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/)\n- [Planetary Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/)\n- [Astrophysics & Space Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/astrophysics\/)\n- [The Sun & Heliophysics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/heliophysics\/)\n- [Biological & Physical Sciences](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/biological-physical\/)\n- [Lunar Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/lunar-science\/)\n- [Citizen Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/citizen-science\/)\n- [Astromaterials](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/astromaterials\/)\n- [Aeronautics Research](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics-research\/)\n- [Human Space Travel Research](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/human-space-travel-research\/)\n\n[Aeronautics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/)\n\n- [Science in the Air](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/science-in-the-air\/)\n- [NASA Aircraft](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/aircraft\/)\n- [Flight Innovation](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/flight-innovation\/)\n- [Supersonic Flight](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/supersonic-flight\/)\n- [Air Traffic Solutions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/air-traffic-solutions\/)\n- [Green Aviation Tech](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/green-aero-tech\/)\n- [Drones & You](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/drones-and-you\/)\n\n[Technology](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/technology\/)\n\n- [Technology Transfer & Spinoffs](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology-transfer-spinoffs\/)\n- [Space Travel Technology](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-travel-technology\/)\n- [Technology Living in Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-living-technology\/)\n- [Manufacturing and Materials](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/manufacturing-and-materials\/)\n- [Robotics](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/robotics\/)\n- [Science Instruments](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/science-instruments\/)\n- [Computing](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/computing\/)\n\n[Learning Resources](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/)\n\n- [For Kids and Students](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/for-kids-and-students\/)\n- [For Educators](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/for-educators\/)\n- [For Colleges and Universities](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/colleges-and-universities\/)\n- [For Professionals](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/for-professionals\/)\n- [Science for Everyone](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/for-everyone\/)\n- [Requests for Exhibits, Artifacts, or Speakers](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/requests-for-exhibits-artifacts-or-speakers\/)\n- [STEM Engagement at NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/stem-engagement-at-nasa\/)\n\n[About NASA](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n\n- [NASA's Impacts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-impacts\/)\n- [Centers and Facilities](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-centers-and-facilities\/)\n- [Directorates](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-directorates\/)\n- [Organizations](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-organization\/)\n- [People of NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people-of-nasa\/)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/careers\/)\n- [Internships](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/nasa-internship-programs\/)\n- [Our History](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/)\n- [Doing Business with NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/doing-business-with-nasa\/)\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/get-involved\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/contact-nasa\/)\n\n[NASA en Español](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/es\/)\n\n- [Ciencia](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Aeronáutica](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/espanol\/aeronautica-en-espanol\/)\n- [Ciencias Terrestres](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/tierra)\n- [Sistema Solar](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/sistema-solar)\n- [Universo](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/universo)\n\n[News & Events](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/news\/)\n\n- [Recently Published](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/recently-published\/)\n- [Video Series on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n- [Podcasts & Audio](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts-and-audio\/)\n- [Blogs](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-blogs\/)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/newsletters\/)\n- [Social Media](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/socialmedia\/)\n- [Media Resources](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/nasa-media-contacts\/)\n\n[Multimedia](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/multimedia\/)\n\n- [Images](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/images\/)\n- [Videos on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n- [Interactives](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-interactive-features\/)\n- [NASA Apps](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/apps\/)\n- [Podcasts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts\/)\n- [e-Books](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ebooks\/)\n- [STEM Multimedia](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/search\/?terms=8058%2C8059%2C8061%2C8062%2C8068)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e008486\/art002e008486~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 11 min read NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions article 3 days ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/nasa-answers-your-most-pressing-artemis-ii-questions\/)\n\n[![NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/suit-patch.jpg?w=1024) 11 min read NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda article 4 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/nasas-artemis-ii-moon-mission-daily-agenda\/)\n\n[![Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-02-03-screenshot-258-2560x1440-1.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time article 1 month ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-2\/track-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-in-real-time\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e008486\/art002e008486~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 11 min read NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions article 3 days ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/nasa-answers-your-most-pressing-artemis-ii-questions\/)\n\n[![Artemis II Podcast Series](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a2-cu-horizontal-hero-16-9.png?w=1024) 1 min read Artemis II Podcast Series article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemispodcast\/)\n\n[![NASA Releases Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Countdown](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/countdown.jpg?w=1024) 7 min read NASA Releases Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Countdown article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/general\/nasa-releases-artemis-ii-moon-mission-launch-countdown\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Drought Parches Florida](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-dry-winter-for-florida\/flordrought_grc_20260330_th.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read Drought Parches Florida article 23 hours ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/drought-parches-florida\/)\n\n[![Barents Sea Tied to Low Arctic Sea Ice](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/barents-sea-tied-to-low-arctic-sea-ice\/barentsice_tmo_20260317_th.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read Barents Sea Tied to Low Arctic Sea Ice article 5 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/barents-sea-tied-to-low-arctic-sea-ice\/)\n\n[![Réunion Island Lava Reaches the Sea](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/r%C3%A9union-island-lava-reaches-the-sea\/reunioneruption_oli2_20260328_th.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Réunion Island Lava Reaches the Sea article 6 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/reunion-island-lava-reaches-the-sea\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Night Sky Network Celebrates Artemis II](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/KSC%20-%20SLS_03302026_Artemis%20II%20Launch%20wide_4\/KSC%20-%20SLS_03302026_Artemis%20II%20Launch%20wide_4~large.jpg) 1 min read Night Sky Network Celebrates Artemis II article 1 day ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/skywatching\/night-sky-network\/night-sky-network-celebrates-artemis-ii\/)\n\n[![Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/ares\/jsc2026e006229.jpg?w=1024) 5 min read Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers article 4 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/meet-nasas-new-artemis-ii-science-officers\/)\n\n[![Impact Flash\\!](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/cds\/citizen-science\/projects\/2026\/Impact_Flash_logo_3000x1500.jpg?w=1024) 1 min read Impact Flash! article 6 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/citizen-science\/impact-flash\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Webb, Hubble Share Most Comprehensive View of Saturn to Date](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/webb\/science\/2026\/03\/STScI-01KJTMDAZWZ2WCK5QF477J3279.jpg?w=1024) 6 min read NASA Webb, Hubble Share Most Comprehensive View of Saturn to Date article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/webb\/nasa-webb-hubble-share-most-comprehensive-view-of-saturn-to-date\/)\n\n[![NASA-JAXA’s XRISM Telescope Clocks Hot Wind of Galaxy M82](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/xrism\/News\/2026\/m82\/M82%20with%20Inset%20mkVI%20Fix.jpg?w=1024) 5 min read NASA-JAXA’s XRISM Telescope Clocks Hot Wind of Galaxy M82 article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/xrism\/nasa-jaxas-xrism-telescope-clocks-hot-wind-of-galaxy-m82\/)\n\n[![NASA’s Hubble Revisits Crab Nebula to Track 25 Years of Expansion](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/hubble\/releases\/2026\/03\/STScI-01KJQWS2TX2REXHGQ32X7EJ7V1.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read NASA’s Hubble Revisits Crab Nebula to Track 25 Years of Expansion article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/hubble\/nasas-hubble-revisits-crab-nebula-to-track-25-years-of-expansion\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/ares\/jsc2026e006229.jpg?w=1024) 5 min read Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers article 4 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/meet-nasas-new-artemis-ii-science-officers\/)\n\n[![Barents Sea Tied to Low Arctic Sea Ice](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/barents-sea-tied-to-low-arctic-sea-ice\/barentsice_tmo_20260317_th.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read Barents Sea Tied to Low Arctic Sea Ice article 5 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/barents-sea-tied-to-low-arctic-sea-ice\/)\n\n[![Georgia Peterson](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/gp-headshot.png?w=1024) 2 min read Georgia Peterson article 6 days ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people\/georgia-peterson\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Selects Finalists in Student Aircraft Maintenance Competition](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/afrc2018-0287-158.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read NASA Selects Finalists in Student Aircraft Maintenance Competition article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/nasa-selects-finalists-in-student-aircraft-maintenance-competition\/)\n\n[![NASA’s X-59 Experimental Supersonic Aircraft Makes Second Flight ](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/x-592ndflight.jpg?w=1024) 2 min read NASA’s X-59 Experimental Supersonic Aircraft Makes Second Flight article 3 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/quesst\/nasas-x-59-experimental-supersonic-aircraft-makes-second-flight\/)\n\n[![NASA Simulations Improve Artemis II Launch Environment](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sls-artemis-sim-frame-copy.jpg?w=1024) 2 min read NASA Simulations Improve Artemis II Launch Environment article 3 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/artemis-sls-launch-sim\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Fires Tear Through Nebraska Grasslands](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/nebraskafire_vir2_20260329_th.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Fires Tear Through Nebraska Grasslands article 1 week ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/)\n\n[![I Am Artemis: Erik Richards](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read I Am Artemis: Erik Richards article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/i-am-artemis\/i-am-artemis-erik-richards\/)\n\n[![NASA Tech and Science Bound for Low Earth Orbit on Commercial Launch](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/nasa-meatball-1.jpg?w=1024) 6 min read NASA Tech and Science Bound for Low Earth Orbit on Commercial Launch article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/nasa-tech-and-science-bound-for-low-earth-orbit-on-commercial-launch\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Join the Artemis Mission to the Moon](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/artemis-base-camp-3-2.png?w=1024) 1 min read Join the Artemis Mission to the Moon article 5 months ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/join-artemis\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Preparing for Artemis II: Training for a Mission Around the Moon](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/53206112789-e5e932c583-o.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read Preparing for Artemis II: Training for a Mission Around the Moon article 2 months ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/johnson\/preparing-for-artemis-ii-training-for-a-mission-around-the-moon\/)\n\n[![Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/ares\/jsc2026e006229.jpg?w=1024) 5 min read Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers article 4 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/meet-nasas-new-artemis-ii-science-officers\/)\n\n[![Get In, We’re Going Moonbound: Meet NASA’s Artemis Closeout Crew](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ksc-20251219-ph-jcr01-0015rev.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Get In, We’re Going Moonbound: Meet NASA’s Artemis Closeout Crew article 4 months ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/kennedy\/get-in-were-going-to-the-moon-meet-nasas-artemis-closeout-crew\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![La NASA anuncia la cobertura de la misión lunar Artemis II](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a2crew-7ff19d.jpg?w=1024) 11 min read La NASA anuncia la cobertura de la misión lunar Artemis II article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/es\/la-nasa-anuncia-la-cobertura-de-la-mision-lunar-artemis-ii\/)\n\n[![Agenda diaria de la misión a la Luna de Artemis II de la NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/suit-patch.jpg?w=1024) 15 min read Agenda diaria de la misión a la Luna de Artemis II de la NASA article 4 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/es\/agenda-diaria-de-la-mision-a-la-luna-de-artemis-ii-de-la-nasa\/)\n\n[![La NASA refuerza Artemis: añade una misión y perfecciona su arquitectura general](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss074e0325229\/iss074e0325229~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 6 min read La NASA refuerza Artemis: añade una misión y perfecciona su arquitectura general article 1 month ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/la-nasa-refuerza-artemis-anade-una-mision-y-perfecciona-su-arquitectura-general\/)\n\nExplore the Universe\n\n- [Universe Home](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n- Basics\n  - [Cosmic History](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/overview\/)\n  - [Building Blocks](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/overview\/building-blocks\/)\n  - [Forces](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/overview\/forces\/)\n- Galaxies\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/)\n  - [Types](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/types\/)\n  - [Evolution](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/evolution\/)\n  - [Large Scale Structures](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/large-scale-structures\/)\n- Black Holes\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/)\n  - [Types](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/types\/)\n  - [Anatomy](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/anatomy\/)\n  - [Black Hole Week](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/black-hole-week\/)\n- Stars\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/)\n  - [Types](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/types\/)\n  - [Multiple Star Systems](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/multiple-star-systems\/)\n  - [Planetary Systems](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/planetary-system\/)\n- [Exoplanets](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/exoplanets\/)\n- Exploration\n  - [Sensing the Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/sensing-the-universe\/)\n  - [Telescopes 101](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/telescopes-101\/)\n  - [Observatories](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/observatories\/)\n- More\n  - [News](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/stories-srjhx\/)\n  - [Deep Dives](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stories\/deep-dives\/)\n  - [Quick Reads](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stories\/quick-reads\/)\n  - [Graphics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/graphics\/)\n  - [Glossary](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/glossary\/)\n  - [Fun & Learning](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/fun-exploring-the-universe\/)\n\n# Black Hole Basics\n![](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/sub-warped-gaia-000000-14x5-1.webp)\n## Black Holes\nBlack holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge concentrations of matter packed into very tiny spaces. A black hole is so dense that gravity just beneath its surface, the event horizon, is strong enough that nothing – not even light – can escape. The event horizon isn’t a surface like Earth’s or even the Sun’s. It’s a boundary that contains all the matter that makes up the black hole.\n\nThere is much we don’t know about black holes, like what matter looks like inside their event horizons. However, there is a lot that scientists *do* know about black holes.\n\n[![A large, black circle representing a black hole occupies the right third of the frame in this illustration. Thick, clumpy orange streaks arc above and below it, essentially surrounding it. The top arc extends down to the lower left and then curves around in front of the black hole to form a disk that is tilted toward the viewer. Near the inner edge of the disk, several bright, whiter spots have blue filaments looping above them, representing flares. The words “Artist’s Concept” appear in the bottom left corner in gray.](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/webb\/science\/2025\/webb-STScI-01JKREFYNJE7MT5SG2H0FBYG75-2K.png?w=1920&h=1080&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/webb\/science\/2025\/webb-STScI-01JKREFYNJE7MT5SG2H0FBYG75-2K.png?w=1920&h=1080&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)\n\nThis artist’s concept portrays the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, known as Sagittarius A\\* (A-star). It’s surrounded by a swirling accretion disk of hot gas. The black hole’s gravity bends light from the far side of the disk, making it appear to wrap above and below the black hole. Several flaring hot spots that resemble solar flares, but on a more energetic scale, are seen in the disk. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has detected both bright flares and fainter flickers coming from Sagittarius A\\*. The flickers are so rapid they must originate very close to the black hole.\n\nIllustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)\n## Finding Black Holes\nBlack holes don’t emit or reflect light, making them effectively invisible to telescopes. Scientists primarily detect and study them based on how they affect their surroundings:\n\n- Black holes can be surrounded by rings of gas and dust, called accretion disks, that emit light across many wavelengths, including X-rays.\n- A supermassive black hole’s intense gravity can cause stars to orbit around it in a particular way. Astronomers tracked the orbits of several stars near the center of the Milky Way to prove it houses a supermassive black hole, a discovery that won the 2020 Nobel Prize.\n- When very massive objects accelerate through space, they create ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves. Scientists can detect some of these by the ripples’ effect on detectors.\n- Massive objects like black holes can bend and distort light from more distant objects. This effect, called gravitational lensing, can be used to find isolated black holes that are otherwise invisible.\n## Black Holes Are Not ...\n- Wormholes. They don’t provide shortcuts between different points in space, or portals to other dimensions or universes.\n- Cosmic vacuum cleaners. Black holes don’t suck in other matter. From far enough away, their gravitational effects are just like those of other objects of the same mass.\n\nBlack holes - what are they really? Learn this and more with “Astro-Investigates,” the video series that explores and explains big astrophysics topics with the help of NASA scientists.  \n**NASA**\n\n## Essential Black Hole Facts\n- 01\n  \n  ### Closest\n  The nearest known black hole, called Gaia BH1, is about 1,500 light-years away.\n- 02\n  \n  ### Farthest\n  The most distant black hole detected, at the center of a galaxy called QSO J0313-1806, is around 13 billion light-years away.\n- 03\n  \n  ### Biggest\n  The most massive black hole observed, TON 618, tips the scales at 66 billion times the Sun’s mass.\n- 04\n  \n  ### Smallest\n  The lightest-known black hole is only 3.8 times the Sun’s mass. It’s paired up with a star.\n- 05\n  \n  ### Spaghettification\n  A real term that describes what happens when matter gets too close to a black hole. It’s squeezed horizontally and stretched vertically, resembling a noodle.\n- 06\n  \n  ### Spin\n  All black holes spin. The fastest-known – named GRS 1915+105 – clocks in at over 1,000 rotations per second.\n- 07\n  \n  ### Particle accelerators\n  Monster black holes at the centers of galaxies can launch particles to near light speed.\n- 08\n  \n  ### Gravity's the same\n  If you replaced the Sun with a black hole of the same mass, the solar system would get a lot colder, but the planets would stay in their orbits.\n- 09\n  \n  ### Star booms\n  One type of black hole is born when massive stars run out of fuel and explode in supernovae.\n- 10\n  \n  ### Not so rare\n  Most Milky Way-sized galaxies have monster black holes at their centers. Our is called Sagittarius A\\* (pronounced ey-star), and it’s 4 million times the Sun’s mass.\n\n![Quasar](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/black-hole-quasar.png?w=768)\n\nAn illustration of a quasar. The colors depicted in this illustration are for artistic purposes only.\n\nNASA\n\n## Black Hole News\n[Explore All Black Hole News](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/astrophysics\/focus-areas\/black-holes\/stories\/)\n\n[Blog 2 Min Read Archival Data From NASA’s NEOWISE Tracks Star Turning Into Black Hole ![](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/neowise\/M31_BlackHole_Wide_MAIN.jpg?w=3840&h=2160&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blogs\/science-news\/2026\/02\/12\/archival-data-from-nasas-neowise-tracks-star-turning-into-black-hole\/)\n\n[Article 3 Min Read NASA, Partners Advance LISA Prototype Hardware ![](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/lisa\/news\/2026\/development-units\/LISA%20TVAC-9.jpg?w=8192&h=4829&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/lisa\/nasa-partners-advance-lisa-prototype-hardware\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/webb\/science\/2026\/01\/STScI-01KECZF6WYB93Z793765XH2MV4.tif?w=150) 7 Min Read NASA’s Webb Delivers Unprecedented Look Into Heart of Circinus Galaxy Article](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/webb\/nasas-webb-delivers-unprecedented-look-into-heart-of-circinus-galaxy\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/smbhs-ngc6278-optical.jpg) 5 Min Read NASA’s Chandra Finds Small Galaxies May Buck the Black Hole Trend Article](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/chandra\/nasas-chandra-finds-small-galaxies-may-buck-the-black-hole-trend\/)\n\n[![](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/glast\/news\/2025\/Longest_GRB_Animation_Still.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 11 Min Read Black Hole Eats Star: NASA Missions Discover Record-Setting Blast Article](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/black-hole-eats-star\/)\n\nKeep Exploring\n\n## Discover More Topics From NASA\n\n[Universe ![](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/ngc5068-1-flat-final.jpg?w=1536)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n\n[Galaxies ![](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/spiral-galaxy-jpg.webp?w=1200)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/)\n\n[Stars ![](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/may102022-x1pt5flare-171-131-304-jpg.webp?w=1536)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/)\n\n[Exoplanets ![](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/astro\/exo-explore\/exoplanet-artists-concepts\/e1-6000-exoplanets-artists-concept-web.jpg?w=5760&h=3816&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/exoplanets\/)\n\n![NASA Logo](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa-child\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo@2x.png)\n\n### National Aeronautics and Space Administration\nNASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.\n\n- [About NASA's Mission](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n\n[Join Us](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/get-involved\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/)\n- [News & Events](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/)\n- [Multimedia](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/multimedia\/)\n- [NASA+](https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/)\n- [Humans in Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n- [The Solar System](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/)\n- [The Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Aeronautics](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/)\n- [Learning Resources](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/)\n- [About NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n- [NASA en Español](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/es\/)\n\n### Follow NASA\n- [More NASA Social Accounts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/social-media\/)\n- [NASA Newsletters](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-newsletters\/)\n\n- [Sitemap](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/sitemap\/)\n- [For Media](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/nasa-media-contacts\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-web-privacy-policy-and-important-notices\/)\n- [FOIA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/foia\/)\n- [No FEAR Act](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/no-fear-act\/)\n- [Office of the IG](http:\/\/oig.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Budget & Annual Reports](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/budgets-plans-and-reports\/)\n- [Agency Financial Reports](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/organizations\/budget-annual-reports\/agency-financial-reports\/)\n- [Contact NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/contact-nasa\/)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/accessibility\/)\n\n- Page Last Updated:\n  Mar 11, 2026\n- Page Editor:\n  Jeanette Kazmierczak\n- Responsible NASA Official for Science:\n  Diana Logreira\n\n×\n\nNotifications","attrs_readable_markdown":"Black holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge concentrations of matter packed into very tiny spaces. A black hole is so dense that gravity just beneath its surface, the event horizon, is strong enough that nothing – not even light – can escape. The event horizon isn’t a surface like Earth’s or even the Sun’s. It’s a boundary that contains all the matter that makes up the black hole.\n\nThere is much we don’t know about black holes, like what matter looks like inside their event horizons. However, there is a lot that scientists *do* know about black holes.\n\n## Finding Black Holes\nBlack holes don’t emit or reflect light, making them effectively invisible to telescopes. Scientists primarily detect and study them based on how they affect their surroundings:\n\n- Black holes can be surrounded by rings of gas and dust, called accretion disks, that emit light across many wavelengths, including X-rays.\n- A supermassive black hole’s intense gravity can cause stars to orbit around it in a particular way. Astronomers tracked the orbits of several stars near the center of the Milky Way to prove it houses a supermassive black hole, a discovery that won the 2020 Nobel Prize.\n- When very massive objects accelerate through space, they create ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves. Scientists can detect some of these by the ripples’ effect on detectors.\n- Massive objects like black holes can bend and distort light from more distant objects. This effect, called gravitational lensing, can be used to find isolated black holes that are otherwise invisible.\n## Black Holes Are Not ...\n- Wormholes. They don’t provide shortcuts between different points in space, or portals to other dimensions or universes.\n- Cosmic vacuum cleaners. Black holes don’t suck in other matter. From far enough away, their gravitational effects are just like those of other objects of the same mass.\n\nBlack holes - what are they really? Learn this and more with “Astro-Investigates,” the video series that explores and explains big astrophysics topics with the help of NASA scientists.  \n**NASA**\n\n## Essential Black Hole Facts\n- 01\n  \n  ### Closest\n  The nearest known black hole, called Gaia BH1, is about 1,500 light-years away.\n- 02\n  \n  ### Farthest\n  The most distant black hole detected, at the center of a galaxy called QSO J0313-1806, is around 13 billion light-years away.\n- 03\n  \n  ### Biggest\n  The most massive black hole observed, TON 618, tips the scales at 66 billion times the Sun’s mass.\n- 04\n  \n  ### Smallest\n  The lightest-known black hole is only 3.8 times the Sun’s mass. It’s paired up with a star.\n- 05\n  \n  ### Spaghettification\n  A real term that describes what happens when matter gets too close to a black hole. It’s squeezed horizontally and stretched vertically, resembling a noodle.\n- 06\n  \n  ### Spin\n  All black holes spin. The fastest-known – named GRS 1915+105 – clocks in at over 1,000 rotations per second.\n- 07\n  \n  ### Particle accelerators\n  Monster black holes at the centers of galaxies can launch particles to near light speed.\n- 08\n  \n  ### Gravity's the same\n  If you replaced the Sun with a black hole of the same mass, the solar system would get a lot colder, but the planets would stay in their orbits.\n- 09\n  \n  ### Star booms\n  One type of black hole is born when massive stars run out of fuel and explode in supernovae.\n- 10\n  \n  ### Not so rare\n  Most Milky Way-sized galaxies have monster black holes at their centers. Our is called Sagittarius A\\* (pronounced ey-star), and it’s 4 million times the Sun’s mass.\n\nKeep Exploring\n\n## Discover More Topics From NASA","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Black Holes - NASA Science
Meta Description	Black holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge
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Boilerpipe Text	Black holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge concentrations of matter packed into very tiny spaces. A black hole is so dense that gravity just beneath its surface, the event horizon, is strong enough that nothing – not even light – can escape. The event horizon isn’t a surface like Earth’s or even the Sun’s. It’s a boundary that contains all the matter that makes up the black hole. There is much we don’t know about black holes, like what matter looks like inside their event horizons. However, there is a lot that scientists do know about black holes. Finding Black Holes Black holes don’t emit or reflect light, making them effectively invisible to telescopes. Scientists primarily detect and study them based on how they affect their surroundings: Black holes can be surrounded by rings of gas and dust, called accretion disks, that emit light across many wavelengths, including X-rays. A supermassive black hole’s intense gravity can cause stars to orbit around it in a particular way. Astronomers tracked the orbits of several stars near the center of the Milky Way to prove it houses a supermassive black hole, a discovery that won the 2020 Nobel Prize. When very massive objects accelerate through space, they create ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves. Scientists can detect some of these by the ripples’ effect on detectors. Massive objects like black holes can bend and distort light from more distant objects. This effect, called gravitational lensing, can be used to find isolated black holes that are otherwise invisible. Black Holes Are Not ... Wormholes. They don’t provide shortcuts between different points in space, or portals to other dimensions or universes. Cosmic vacuum cleaners. Black holes don’t suck in other matter. From far enough away, their gravitational effects are just like those of other objects of the same mass. Black holes - what are they really? Learn this and more with “Astro-Investigates,” the video series that explores and explains big astrophysics topics with the help of NASA scientists. NASA Essential Black Hole Facts 01 Closest The nearest known black hole, called Gaia BH1, is about 1,500 light-years away. 02 Farthest The most distant black hole detected, at the center of a galaxy called QSO J0313-1806, is around 13 billion light-years away. 03 Biggest The most massive black hole observed, TON 618, tips the scales at 66 billion times the Sun’s mass. 04 Smallest The lightest-known black hole is only 3.8 times the Sun’s mass. It’s paired up with a star. 05 Spaghettification A real term that describes what happens when matter gets too close to a black hole. It’s squeezed horizontally and stretched vertically, resembling a noodle. 06 Spin All black holes spin. The fastest-known – named GRS 1915+105 – clocks in at over 1,000 rotations per second. 07 Particle accelerators Monster black holes at the centers of galaxies can launch particles to near light speed. 08 Gravity's the same If you replaced the Sun with a black hole of the same mass, the solar system would get a lot colder, but the planets would stay in their orbits. 09 Star booms One type of black hole is born when massive stars run out of fuel and explode in supernovae. 10 Not so rare Most Milky Way-sized galaxies have monster black holes at their centers. Our is called Sagittarius A* (pronounced ey-star), and it’s 4 million times the Sun’s mass. Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA
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Highlights [![La NASA anuncia la cobertura de la misión lunar Artemis II](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/a2crew-7ff19d.jpg?w=1024) 11 min read La NASA anuncia la cobertura de la misión lunar Artemis II article 2 weeks ago](https://www.nasa.gov/es/la-nasa-anuncia-la-cobertura-de-la-mision-lunar-artemis-ii/) [![Agenda diaria de la misión a la Luna de Artemis II de la NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/suit-patch.jpg?w=1024) 15 min read Agenda diaria de la misión a la Luna de Artemis II de la NASA article 4 weeks ago](https://www.nasa.gov/es/agenda-diaria-de-la-mision-a-la-luna-de-artemis-ii-de-la-nasa/) [![La NASA refuerza Artemis: añade una misión y perfecciona su arquitectura general](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/iss074e0325229/iss074e0325229~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 6 min read La NASA refuerza Artemis: añade una misión y perfecciona su arquitectura general article 1 month ago](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/la-nasa-refuerza-artemis-anade-una-mision-y-perfecciona-su-arquitectura-general/) Explore the Universe - [Universe Home](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/) - Basics - [Cosmic History](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/overview/) - [Building Blocks](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/overview/building-blocks/) - [Forces](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/overview/forces/) - Galaxies - [Overview](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/) - [Types](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/types/) - [Evolution](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/evolution/) - [Large Scale Structures](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/large-scale-structures/) - Black Holes - [Overview](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/) - [Types](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/types/) - [Anatomy](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/anatomy/) - [Black Hole Week](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/black-hole-week/) - Stars - [Overview](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/) - [Types](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/types/) - [Multiple Star Systems](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/multiple-star-systems/) - [Planetary Systems](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/planetary-system/) - [Exoplanets](https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/) - Exploration - [Sensing the Universe](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/sensing-the-universe/) - [Telescopes 101](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/telescopes-101/) - [Observatories](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/observatories/) - More - [News](https://science.nasa.gov/stories-srjhx/) - [Deep Dives](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stories/deep-dives/) - [Quick Reads](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stories/quick-reads/) - [Graphics](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/graphics/) - [Glossary](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/glossary/) - [Fun & Learning](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/fun-exploring-the-universe/) # Black Hole Basics ![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sub-warped-gaia-000000-14x5-1.webp) ## Black Holes Black holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge concentrations of matter packed into very tiny spaces. A black hole is so dense that gravity just beneath its surface, the event horizon, is strong enough that nothing – not even light – can escape. The event horizon isn’t a surface like Earth’s or even the Sun’s. It’s a boundary that contains all the matter that makes up the black hole. There is much we don’t know about black holes, like what matter looks like inside their event horizons. However, there is a lot that scientists do know about black holes. [![A large, black circle representing a black hole occupies the right third of the frame in this illustration. Thick, clumpy orange streaks arc above and below it, essentially surrounding it. The top arc extends down to the lower left and then curves around in front of the black hole to form a disk that is tilted toward the viewer. Near the inner edge of the disk, several bright, whiter spots have blue filaments looping above them, representing flares. The words “Artist’s Concept” appear in the bottom left corner in gray.](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/webb/science/2025/webb-STScI-01JKREFYNJE7MT5SG2H0FBYG75-2K.png?w=1920&h=1080&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/webb/science/2025/webb-STScI-01JKREFYNJE7MT5SG2H0FBYG75-2K.png?w=1920&h=1080&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) This artist’s concept portrays the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, known as Sagittarius A\* (A-star). It’s surrounded by a swirling accretion disk of hot gas. The black hole’s gravity bends light from the far side of the disk, making it appear to wrap above and below the black hole. Several flaring hot spots that resemble solar flares, but on a more energetic scale, are seen in the disk. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has detected both bright flares and fainter flickers coming from Sagittarius A\. The flickers are so rapid they must originate very close to the black hole. Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI) ## Finding Black Holes Black holes don’t emit or reflect light, making them effectively invisible to telescopes. Scientists primarily detect and study them based on how they affect their surroundings: - Black holes can be surrounded by rings of gas and dust, called accretion disks, that emit light across many wavelengths, including X-rays. - A supermassive black hole’s intense gravity can cause stars to orbit around it in a particular way. Astronomers tracked the orbits of several stars near the center of the Milky Way to prove it houses a supermassive black hole, a discovery that won the 2020 Nobel Prize. - When very massive objects accelerate through space, they create ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves. Scientists can detect some of these by the ripples’ effect on detectors. - Massive objects like black holes can bend and distort light from more distant objects. This effect, called gravitational lensing, can be used to find isolated black holes that are otherwise invisible. ## Black Holes Are Not ... - Wormholes. They don’t provide shortcuts between different points in space, or portals to other dimensions or universes. - Cosmic vacuum cleaners. Black holes don’t suck in other matter. From far enough away, their gravitational effects are just like those of other objects of the same mass. Black holes - what are they really? Learn this and more with “Astro-Investigates,” the video series that explores and explains big astrophysics topics with the help of NASA scientists. NASA* ## Essential Black Hole Facts - 01 ### Closest The nearest known black hole, called Gaia BH1, is about 1,500 light-years away. - 02 ### Farthest The most distant black hole detected, at the center of a galaxy called QSO J0313-1806, is around 13 billion light-years away. - 03 ### Biggest The most massive black hole observed, TON 618, tips the scales at 66 billion times the Sun’s mass. - 04 ### Smallest The lightest-known black hole is only 3.8 times the Sun’s mass. It’s paired up with a star. - 05 ### Spaghettification A real term that describes what happens when matter gets too close to a black hole. It’s squeezed horizontally and stretched vertically, resembling a noodle. - 06 ### Spin All black holes spin. The fastest-known – named GRS 1915+105 – clocks in at over 1,000 rotations per second. - 07 ### Particle accelerators Monster black holes at the centers of galaxies can launch particles to near light speed. - 08 ### Gravity's the same If you replaced the Sun with a black hole of the same mass, the solar system would get a lot colder, but the planets would stay in their orbits. - 09 ### Star booms One type of black hole is born when massive stars run out of fuel and explode in supernovae. - 10 ### Not so rare Most Milky Way-sized galaxies have monster black holes at their centers. Our is called Sagittarius A\* (pronounced ey-star), and it’s 4 million times the Sun’s mass. ![Quasar](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/black-hole-quasar.png?w=768) An illustration of a quasar. The colors depicted in this illustration are for artistic purposes only. NASA ## Black Hole News [Explore All Black Hole News](https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/black-holes/stories/) [Blog 2 Min Read Archival Data From NASA’s NEOWISE Tracks Star Turning Into Black Hole ![](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/neowise/M31_BlackHole_Wide_MAIN.jpg?w=3840&h=2160&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/science-news/2026/02/12/archival-data-from-nasas-neowise-tracks-star-turning-into-black-hole/) [Article 3 Min Read NASA, Partners Advance LISA Prototype Hardware ![](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/lisa/news/2026/development-units/LISA%20TVAC-9.jpg?w=8192&h=4829&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https://science.nasa.gov/missions/lisa/nasa-partners-advance-lisa-prototype-hardware/) [![](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/webb/science/2026/01/STScI-01KECZF6WYB93Z793765XH2MV4.tif?w=150) 7 Min Read NASA’s Webb Delivers Unprecedented Look Into Heart of Circinus Galaxy Article](https://science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-delivers-unprecedented-look-into-heart-of-circinus-galaxy/) [![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/smbhs-ngc6278-optical.jpg) 5 Min Read NASA’s Chandra Finds Small Galaxies May Buck the Black Hole Trend Article](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/chandra/nasas-chandra-finds-small-galaxies-may-buck-the-black-hole-trend/) [![](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/missions/glast/news/2025/Longest_GRB_Animation_Still.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 11 Min Read Black Hole Eats Star: NASA Missions Discover Record-Setting Blast Article](https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/black-hole-eats-star/) Keep Exploring ## Discover More Topics From NASA [Universe ![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ngc5068-1-flat-final.jpg?w=1536)](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/) [Galaxies ![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/spiral-galaxy-jpg.webp?w=1200)](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/) [Stars ![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/may102022-x1pt5flare-171-131-304-jpg.webp?w=1536)](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/) [Exoplanets ![](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/astro/exo-explore/exoplanet-artists-concepts/e1-6000-exoplanets-artists-concept-web.jpg?w=5760&h=3816&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/) ![NASA Logo](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/themes/nasa-child/assets/images/nasa-logo@2x.png) ### National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. - [About NASA's Mission](https://www.nasa.gov/about/) [Join Us](https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/) - [Home](https://www.nasa.gov/) - [News & Events](https://www.nasa.gov/news/) - [Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/) - [NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/) - [Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-missions/) - [Humans in Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/) - [Earth](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/) - [The Solar System](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/) - [The Universe](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/) - [Science](https://science.nasa.gov/) - [Aeronautics](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/) - [Technology](https://www.nasa.gov/technology/) - [Learning Resources](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/) - [About NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/about/) - [NASA en Español](https://www.nasa.gov/es/) ### Follow NASA - [More NASA Social Accounts](https://www.nasa.gov/social-media/) - [NASA Newsletters](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-newsletters/) - [Sitemap](https://www.nasa.gov/sitemap/) - [For Media](https://www.nasa.gov/news/nasa-media-contacts/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-web-privacy-policy-and-important-notices/) - [FOIA](https://www.nasa.gov/foia/) - [No FEAR Act](https://www.nasa.gov/no-fear-act/) - [Office of the IG](http://oig.nasa.gov/) - [Budget & Annual Reports](https://www.nasa.gov/budgets-plans-and-reports/) - [Agency Financial Reports](https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/budget-annual-reports/agency-financial-reports/) - [Contact NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/contact-nasa/) - [Accessibility](https://www.nasa.gov/accessibility/) - Page Last Updated: Mar 11, 2026 - Page Editor: Jeanette Kazmierczak - Responsible NASA Official for Science: Diana Logreira × Notifications
Readable Markdown	Black holes are among the most mysterious cosmic objects, much studied but not fully understood. These objects aren’t really holes. They’re huge concentrations of matter packed into very tiny spaces. A black hole is so dense that gravity just beneath its surface, the event horizon, is strong enough that nothing – not even light – can escape. The event horizon isn’t a surface like Earth’s or even the Sun’s. It’s a boundary that contains all the matter that makes up the black hole. There is much we don’t know about black holes, like what matter looks like inside their event horizons. However, there is a lot that scientists do know about black holes. ## Finding Black Holes Black holes don’t emit or reflect light, making them effectively invisible to telescopes. Scientists primarily detect and study them based on how they affect their surroundings: - Black holes can be surrounded by rings of gas and dust, called accretion disks, that emit light across many wavelengths, including X-rays. - A supermassive black hole’s intense gravity can cause stars to orbit around it in a particular way. Astronomers tracked the orbits of several stars near the center of the Milky Way to prove it houses a supermassive black hole, a discovery that won the 2020 Nobel Prize. - When very massive objects accelerate through space, they create ripples in the fabric of space-time called gravitational waves. Scientists can detect some of these by the ripples’ effect on detectors. - Massive objects like black holes can bend and distort light from more distant objects. This effect, called gravitational lensing, can be used to find isolated black holes that are otherwise invisible. ## Black Holes Are Not ... - Wormholes. They don’t provide shortcuts between different points in space, or portals to other dimensions or universes. - Cosmic vacuum cleaners. Black holes don’t suck in other matter. From far enough away, their gravitational effects are just like those of other objects of the same mass. Black holes - what are they really? Learn this and more with “Astro-Investigates,” the video series that explores and explains big astrophysics topics with the help of NASA scientists. NASA ## Essential Black Hole Facts - 01 ### Closest The nearest known black hole, called Gaia BH1, is about 1,500 light-years away. - 02 ### Farthest The most distant black hole detected, at the center of a galaxy called QSO J0313-1806, is around 13 billion light-years away. - 03 ### Biggest The most massive black hole observed, TON 618, tips the scales at 66 billion times the Sun’s mass. - 04 ### Smallest The lightest-known black hole is only 3.8 times the Sun’s mass. It’s paired up with a star. - 05 ### Spaghettification A real term that describes what happens when matter gets too close to a black hole. It’s squeezed horizontally and stretched vertically, resembling a noodle. - 06 ### Spin All black holes spin. The fastest-known – named GRS 1915+105 – clocks in at over 1,000 rotations per second. - 07 ### Particle accelerators Monster black holes at the centers of galaxies can launch particles to near light speed. - 08 ### Gravity's the same If you replaced the Sun with a black hole of the same mass, the solar system would get a lot colder, but the planets would stay in their orbits. - 09 ### Star booms One type of black hole is born when massive stars run out of fuel and explode in supernovae. - 10 ### Not so rare Most Milky Way-sized galaxies have monster black holes at their centers. Our is called Sagittarius A\* (pronounced ey-star), and it’s 4 million times the Sun’s mass. Keep Exploring ## Discover More Topics From NASA
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