3D Visualization of Binary Black Hole Merger

Kotak, Mit

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114215 Copy

Description

Title

3D Visualization of Binary Black Hole Merger

Author(s)

Kotak, Mit

Contributor(s)

Shapiro, Stuart Louis

Issue Date

2022

Keyword(s)

Physics

Abstract

What happens when two black holes merge? Spectacular new images show the magnetic swirl action like never before. By simulating this merger on a supercomputer, we can understand astronomical observations made by NASA and ESA telescopes. Our research focuses on developing mathematical models to couple Einstein’s equations, which describe the gravitational field around a black hole, with equations that govern the motion of matter moving close to the speed of light in a magnetic field. The image grid was created by solving these equations on a supercomputer over a span of 6 months. The t/M metric tracks simulation time and the scale bar at the bottom helps calculate black hole mass. The jets coming out of the black holes can be detected by electromagnetic emission detectors whereas the colorbar contains information about light intensity fluctuations that can be detected by large telescopes such as Pan-STARRS in Hawaii. Images like these not only help researchers analyze the behavior of spacetime around black holes, but they also offer a lesson in humility; black holes remind us that no matter what we do, there will always be things out there in the cosmos that continue to elude our wildest imaginations.

Type of Resource

• Text
• Image

Language

eng

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114215

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 Mit Kotak

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