Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: thedoc on 20/07/2016 02:50:01

Title: What would happen if a spacecraft travelled near a blackhole?
Post by: thedoc on 20/07/2016 02:50:01

Beryl Nolan  asked the Naked Scientists:
   I have always wondered what would happen if a spacecraft travelled near or through a black hole. Would it be sucked in and swallowed up?
I really enjoy your programme.
Best wishes
Beryl Nolan


   
What do you think?

Title: Re: What would happen if a spacecraft travelled near a blackhole?
Post by: PmbPhy on 20/07/2016 06:03:34

Quote from: Beryl Nolan

   I have always wondered what would happen if a spacecraft travelled near or through a black hole. Would it be sucked in and swallowed up?
I really enjoy your programme.
Best wishes
Beryl Nolan

It all depends on the mass of the black hole and how far away from it the spacecraft gets. If the black hole has the mass of the Sun and the spacecraft never gets closer to it than the radius of the Sun then nothing would happen to it. It'd be just like being near the an object with the mass of the Sun at that distance because that's exactly what'd happen in that case. However if you get to close to it, say not too far from the event horizon, then your spacecraft would start to feel the effects of the black holes tidal forces. Too close and it'd rip the spacecraft apart and you along with it. However this all depends on the mass of he black hole. If the black hole was a super black hole of unimaginable mass then if you got too close you'd be drawn in whether you'd like it or not. But you wouldn't be hurt after crossing the event horizon. In fact you'd never know that you crossed it. You could be inside the black hole and everything inside your spacecraft would operate normally, until you fell to far in, then it'd be like being in a blender.