📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Astronomers Just Discovered a 'Supermassive' Black Hole. 'Hard to Comprehend How Big This Thing Is.' Scientists at Durham University say the black hole is 30 billion times the size of the sun.

By Jonathan Small

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

A team of astronomers at Durham University in England have discovered a "supermassive black hole" (SMBH) over 30 billion times the size of the sun.

"Even as an astronomer, I find it hard to comprehend how big this thing is," Dr. James Nightingale told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"If you look at the night sky and count up all the stars and planets you can see and put them in a single point, it would be a fraction of a percent the size of this black hole. This black hole is bigger than the majority of galaxies in the universe."

The ultramassive black hole was the first to be measured using a new technology called gravitational lensing. A foreground galaxy bends the light from a more distant object and magnifies it making it possible to measure the mass of supermassive black holes.

Gravitational lensing enables astronomers to discover black holes never seen before.

"This approach could let us detect many more black holes beyond our local Universe and reveal how these exotic objects evolved further back in cosmic time."

Related: A Massive Hole In the Sun May Cause Dazzling Light Show Here On Earth

What is a black hole?

A black hole is an area in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Black holes are formed from the remnants of massive stars that have collapsed in on themselves, creating a very dense and compact object.

Black holes play a significant role in galaxy formation and evolution. Supermassive black holes are thought to exist at the centers of most galaxies. The black hole discovered by Durham scientists is in the center of Abell 1201. The gravitational pull of these black holes can affect the movement of stars and gas around them, shaping the galaxy's structure and influencing the formation of new stars.

Jonathan Small

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® VIP

Founder, Write About Now Media

Jonathan Small is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he has worked as a sought-after storyteller for top media companies such as The New York Times, Hearst, Entrepreneur, and Condé Nast. He has held executive roles at Glamour, Fitness, and Entrepreneur and regularly contributes to The New York Times, TV Guide, Cosmo, Details, Maxim, and Good Housekeeping. He is the former “Jake” advice columnist for Glamour magazine and the “Guy Guru” at Cosmo.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Business News

These Are the 10 Most Profitable Cities for Airbnb Hosts, According to a New Report

Here's where Airbnb property owners and hosts are making the most money.

Side Hustle

How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Successful Business

A hobby, interest or charity project can turn into a money-making business if you know the right steps to take.

Productivity

Want to Be More Productive? Here's How Google Executives Structure Their Schedules

These five tactics from inside Google will help you focus and protect your time.

Starting a Business

This Couple Turned Their Startup Into a $150 Million Food Delivery Company. Here's What They Did Early On to Make It Happen.

Selling only online to your customers has many perks. But the founders of Little Spoon want you to know four things if you want to see accelerated growth.