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What Does the New Polarimetric Image of the M87 Black Hole Tell Us About This Object?

-- larry | April 12, 2021

Question:

The new EHT results showing the magnetic field lines are exciting. The black hole parameters are mass, spin, and charge. Can the new EHT results be used to completely characterize the M87 black hole?

-- larry

Answer:

The recently-released high-resolution image of the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy allows astronomers to study the magnetic field structure in the vicinity of the black hole. A measurement of the magnetic field structure around a black hole helps astronomers to better understand how matter near the black hole behaves in its intense gravitational field.

-- Jeff Mangum

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