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YouTube

How Easy Is It to Grow a Supermassive Black Hole? - With Dr Becky

The Royal Institution via YouTube

Overview

Explore the fascinating world of supermassive black holes in this 45-minute lecture by Dr. Becky Smethurst from the University of Oxford. Delve into the complexities of black hole growth, challenging common misconceptions about their voracious nature. Learn about the formation of black holes, their detection methods, and their influence on surrounding celestial bodies. Discover the role of supernovas, the Hubble Space Telescope, and abandoned observatories in the Canary Islands. Gain insights into the spectrum analysis, quantum mechanics, and the limits of black hole growth. Examine the correlation between galaxy size and black hole mass, and uncover non-merger processes contributing to their expansion. Perfect for astronomy enthusiasts and those curious about the mysteries of our universe.

Syllabus

Intro
How a black hole is formed
Supernovas
How we see black holes
How black holes affect the solar system
How stars orbit black holes
Hubble Space Telescope
First Science Plot
The Canary Islands
The ISAAC Newton Telescope
Why were the telescopes abandoned
Chemistry 101
Quantum Mechanics
The Spectrum
How Big Can They Grow
A Limit
Correlation Line
Galaxy Shift
Cumulative Growth Plot
Non Merger Processes
How Do Black Holes Grow

Taught by

The Royal Institution

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