Potential Black Holes and Their Characteristics

Flashcards covering terminology and concepts related to potential black holes, specifically focusing on Cygnus X1 and its characteristics.

Cygnus X1

An X-ray source in a binary star system that is a potential black hole candidate with a total mass of 35 solar masses.

Accretion Disk

The disk of gas and dust that forms around a black hole as matter is drawn in from a companion star.

Solar Masses

A measurement used in astronomy to describe the mass of an object in terms of the mass of the Sun.

X-rays

High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from hot regions near black holes.

Binary System

A star system consisting of two stars that orbit around a common center of mass.

Temperature in Cygnus X1

Several million degrees Kelvin, indicated by the X-rays being emitted.

Potential Black Hole Cutoff Mass

Typically around 25 solar masses, above which a star is considered a candidate for becoming a black hole.

Intensity Variation of X-rays

X-ray intensity from Cygnus X1 varies on a millisecond scale, indicating rapid changes in the environment.

Black Hole Feeding

The process by which a black hole pulls in material from a companion star, contributing to the formation of an accretion disk.

Number of Candidates for Black Holes

Astronomers have identified about 20 potential black holes, although this number may be higher according to some researchers.