Illustration of Cygnus X-1,a possible black hole,as seen from a nearby asteroid. Cygnus X-1 is an intense X-ray source within our galaxy. The illustration shows the supergiant star HDE 226868 (white oval at left),the binary companion of Cygnus X-1,from which matter is being drawn off toward the black hole. This matter collects in a spiralling accretion disc before finally being pulled into the black hole by its massive gravitational force. As the matter approaches the 'event horizon' from which nothing may escape,it is heated to high energies,resulting in the emission of X-rays | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Hardy, David |
Taille de l’image : | 4628 px × 2850 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |