Multiple choice

The black hole nearest to the Earth named V4641 is visible. How?

  1. Because it is wrongly believed to be a black hole

  2. Because it still has traces of hydrogen

  3. Because of the star that orbits around it

  4. Because of the heat emitted by it
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

At first, scientists believed that the nearest black hole to the Earth was the one at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. This seemed to be debunked by the discovery of a new black hole only 1600 light years away. This new black hole is actually a rare type of black hole called a micro quasar. This new black hole has been named V4641 Sgr since it is located in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way. The reason it is visible is because of the star that orbits it. The gases of this star are steadily being absorbed by this black hole. These gases emit radiation that can be detected by Earth’s telescopes.

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