Scientists say they have discovered the closest black hole to Earth. Black holes are areas in space where gravity is so strong that nothing not even light can escape them. They are believed to be formed from collapsed stars. An international group of astronomers recently announced the discovery of the black hole, which sits about 1,600 light years from Earth. A light year is the distance light travels in one year. In space, light moves about 9.4 trillion kilometers each year. The researchers named the black hole Gaia BH1. They say it sits in the constellation of Ophiuchus. A constellation is a grouping of stars. The black hole is believed to weigh about 10 times the mass of our sun. The team said it is three times closer to Earth than the previous record-holder. The newly discovered gravitational mass was identified by observing the motion of its orbiting star. The star orbits the black hole at about the same distance as Earth orbits the sun.
Which of the following is a definition of the word constellation?
a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern
the action or power of focusing one's attention or mental effort
a substance made by removing water or other diluting agent
feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected
How did the research team say it identified the black hole?
By observing the motion of its orbiting star
By feeling the temperature reflecting off of the moon
By sending a manned space shuttle nearby
By information sent from extraterrestrial life
A light year is the distance light travels in one year.
light year
light beer
night light
white deer