We have just seen the first image of a black hole, the supermassive black hole in the galaxy M87 with a mass 6.5 billion times that of our sun. But what is that image really showing us?
This is an awesome paper on the topic by J.P. Luminet:
Image of a spherical black hole with thin accretion disk
Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 75, no. 1-2, May 1979, p. 228-235
Using my every day intuition I wondered: will we see the "shadow" of the black hole even if we're looking edge on at the accretion disk? The answer is yes because the black hole warps space-time, so even if we wouldn't normally be able to see the back of the accretion disk, we can in this case because its light is bent up and over the black hole. Similarly we can see light from the bottom of the back of the accretion disk because it's bent under the bottom of the black hole. Plus there are additional images from light that does a half turn around the black hole leading to the inner rings.
What about the black hole "shadow" itself? Well initially I thought it can't be an image of the event horizon because it's so much bigger (2.6 times bigger). But if you trace back the rays, you find that for every point in the shadow, there is a corresponding ray that traces back to the event horizon. So in fact from our one observing location, we see all sides of the event horizon simultaneously! In fact infinitely many of these images, accounting for the virtually infinite number of times a photon can orbit the black hole before falling in. The edge of the shadow is due to the photon sphere - the radius at which light goes around in closed orbits. If a light ray coming in at an oblique angle just skims the photon sphere and then travels on to our telescopes, that is the closest 'impact parameter' possible, and it occurs at sqrt(27)/2*r_s
Huge thanks to:
Prof. Geraint Lewis
University of Sydney
Like him, I'm hoping (predicting?) we'll see some moving images of black holes tomorrow
Prof. Rana Adhikari
Caltech
Riccardo Antonelli - for excellent images of black holes, simulations and ray-tracing code, check out:
The Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration
Check out their resources and get your local link for the livestream here:
Special thanks to Patreon supporters:
Donal Botkin, Michael Krugman, Ron Neal, Stan Presolski, Terrance Shepherd, Penward Rhyme
Filming by Raquel Nuno
Animation by Maria Raykova
![How to Understand What Black Holes Look Like [uMPnsMYb]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zUyH3XhpLTo/sddefault.jpg)
From Struggle to Success: Kelly Clarkson's Weight Loss Transformation
Kelly Clarkson, a renowned singer, actress, and talk show host, has been open about her weight loss journey. In this article, we'll delve into the strategies she employed to achieve her remarkable transformation.
Breaking Free from Unhealthy Habits
Like many of us who struggle with weight issues, Kelly struggled with yo-yo dieting and unhealthy eating habits for years. However, after reaching a point where she felt unwell and unhappy in her own skin, she decided it was time for change. Clarkson started by incorporating healthier food choices into her daily routine. She prioritized whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates.
She also made an effort to cook more often at home rather than relying on processed meals or eating out frequently. By taking control of what she put in her body, Kelly began to notice a shift in how she felt - both physically and mentally. Her energy levels increased significantly as did her self-confidence.
The Power of Mindful Eating
As Clarkson's new diet started paying off, she became more aware of the importance of mindful eating. She paid attention to hunger cues, stopped when satisfied rather than stuffed, and developed a healthier relationship with food overall. This shift from restrictive diets to a balanced approach was instrumental in her weight loss success.
When we mindfully eat, we're able to tune into our body's needs better and make choices that promote satisfaction over short-term pleasure or convenience. By adopting such an attitude towards food consumption, Kelly Clarkson created space for sustainable weight management instead of merely focusing on shedding pounds quickly.
Finding the Right Balance Between Exercise and Rest
While exercise played a vital role in Clarkson's journey, she also emphasized the importance of getting sufficient rest to aid recovery. This approach helped her maintain a healthy relationship with physical activity - one that didn't leave her burned out or prone to overtraining.
Aim for an average sleep duration of 7-9 hours each night and try not to skimp on your beauty sleep! It can greatly benefit weight loss efforts, as adequate rest helps stabilize hormones involved in appetite regulation. For example, research has shown that people who get sufficient sleep tend to have lower levels of ghrelin (the 'hunger hormone') and higher levels of leptin ('fullness' hormone).
Staying Hydrated for Better Results
Proper hydration is a crucial aspect of any weight loss journey - including Kelly Clarkson's. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help control appetite, boost metabolism, and reduce bloating.
For women specifically, even mild dehydration has been linked to decreased fat burning capacity during exercise! It means that if we don't replenish our fluids adequately between meals or after working out, it could hinder weight loss efforts significantly.
The Role of Support in Sustaining Motivation
Kelly Clarkson also acknowledged the role of her loved ones in keeping her motivated throughout this journey. Having a supportive community can make all the difference when dealing with setbacks - because we're bound to encounter them along the way.
Surrounding yourself with encouraging people, whether it's family or friends, helps us stay accountable and push forward even during challenging times. For Clarkson, having a strong network provided an essential safety net that helped her continue on track towards achieving success.
Achieving Long-Term Weight Loss Success
Kelly Clarkson ultimately transformed not just her physical appearance but also adopted healthier habits to maintain long-term weight loss success. She no longer feels burdened by fad diets or extreme calorie restriction strategies - instead embracing balance, nutrition, and self-care as an integral part of daily life.
By understanding the science behind healthy weight management and staying committed to those key lifestyle changes she identified early on in her journey (and has stuck with), Kelly Clarkson exemplifies how we can move from struggle towards long-lasting success.
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