Anatomy of a black hole

1 Singularity

The core of a black hole is a mysterious point of infinite mass called a singularity, where our currently known laws of physics break down.

2 Event horizon

The point of no return; this is where the gravity from the extreme curvature of space-time is so strong that not even light can escape.

3 Ergosphere

An oblate zone around a rotating black hole, the ergosphere is a volume of space from where energy and mass can be extracted from the black hole.

4 Static limit

The edge of the ergosphere. Everything inside the static limit is caught up by the mass of the black hole dragging the fabric of space-time with it as it rotates.

5 Accretion disc

An active black hole siphons and steals matter, mostly in the form of interstellar gas, from the environment around it. This matter falls towards the black hole in a spiralling accretion disc.

6 Relativistic jet

Powerful magnetic fields weaving through the accretion disc can funnel charged particles away in beams or jets that emanate from above and below the rotational axis.