Thursday, June 20, 2019
Classification of Black Holes:
Black holes are classified based on their mass, charge, and angular momentum.
The three primary classifications are:
1. Primordial Black Holes:
Primordial black holes are hypothetical black holes that are thought to have formed in the early universe, shortly after the Big Bang.
They could have formed from high-density regions, and their masses could range from tiny (microscopic) to stellar masses.
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| Classification of black holes |
2. Stellar-Mass Black Holes:
Stellar-mass black holes are formed from the gravitational collapse of massive stars at the end of their life cycle.
These black holes typically have masses ranging from about 3 to 100 times the mass of the Sun. The exact boundary between stellar-mass and intermediate-mass black holes is not precisely defined.
3. Intermediate-Mass Black Holes:
Intermediate-mass black holes are theoretical black holes with masses greater than stellar-mass black holes but smaller than supermassive black holes.
There is ongoing research and debate about the existence and nature of intermediate-mass black holes.
4. Supermassive Black Holes:
Supermassive black holes are found at the centers of most galaxies, including our Milky Way.
They have masses ranging from hundreds of thousands to billions of times the mass of the Sun.
The exact mechanism of their formation is not fully understood, but they are thought to grow through accretion of mass and mergers with other black holes.
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| Micro Black Holes |
5. Micro Black Holes:
Micro black holes are hypothetical black holes with very small masses, possibly on the order of subatomic particles.
These black holes are speculative and are not yet observed or confirmed.
6. Charged Black Holes:
Black holes are generally expected to have a neutral electric charge, but charged (or "extremal") black holes are theoretically possible.
Theoretical considerations suggest that black holes could carry electric charge if they formed from charged matter. However, astrophysical evidence for charged black holes is lacking.
These classifications are based on theoretical predictions and observational evidence. Some types, such as primordial black holes and charged black holes, are purely theoretical and have not been observed directly. The study of black holes continues to be an active area of research in astrophysics, and new discoveries may refine or expand our understanding of their classifications.