Question 1

What is the closest known black hole to Earth?

Accepted Answer

Gaia BH1

Answer

Sagittarius A*

Answer

HR6819

Answer

Alpha Centauri A

Question 2

How do astronomers typically find black holes?

Accepted Answer

Using indirect methods like observing emitted light or gravitational waves.

Answer

Directly observing them with telescopes

Answer

Using sonar waves in space

Answer

Measuring their temperature with infrared cameras

Question 3

How was Gaia BH1 confirmed to be a black hole?

Accepted Answer

By observing the wobbling motion of a companion star.

Answer

By directly imaging the black hole

Answer

By measuring the temperature of the gas around the black hole

Answer

By detecting X-rays emitted from the black hole

Question 4

Why are dormant black holes harder to spot?

Accepted Answer

They are not actively feeding off a companion, emitting X-rays.

Answer

They are invisible to telescopes

Answer

They are located far away from Earth

Answer

They are too small to detect

Question 5

How did the team proposing the existence of black holes near the Hyades star cluster suggest they could be detected?

Accepted Answer

Through gravitational microlensing.

Answer

By analyzing the composition of the cluster's stars

Answer

By observing the black holes directly

Answer

By detecting gravitational waves

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