: : I agree and that the wavelength that the markers are seen one is xray right ?

: ???

Matthew-

I think you’re asking whether the markers can be in the form of x-rays as opposed to visible light from a supernova. If so, the answer is yes. Often, a black hole (or other super dense dead star like a neutron star) will attract dust and other cosmic particles resulting in what is called an accretion disk around the black hole (picture a flat plate with a black hole at the center). The dust/particles will then tend to rotate around the star, emitting large amounts of x-rays into space.

As you can see, it’s not the black hole that is being detected, but the effects of its intense gravity. The x-rays, however, should get eaten up by our upper atmosphere, and are usually only detected by equipment in satellites, etc.

• Re: Gideon: Thanks - Matthew Greville - September 23, 1997 - 06:40 UTC
  • Re: Gideon: Thanks - Craig Brown - August 22, 1998 - 15:42 UTC