+ Visit NASA.gov + Advanced Search   + About the Server   + Animation List   + How to Use the Server   + RSS Feeds Previous Animation Next Animation Black Hole Accretion Disk A black hole is a massive object whose gravitational field is so intense that no light (electromagnetic radiation) can escape it. Around many black holes is an accretion disk of material emitting energy as it falls into the black hole. This animation shows a cutaway of the accretion disk. The gap between the accretion disk and the black hole represents the innermost orbit matter can be in before plunging into the black hole. The radius of this innermost orbit depends on whether the black hole is rotating or not. If the black hole is rotating, material can orbit in more closely, causing the material to move faster than if the black hole is not rotating.    This animation provides a cutaway of a black hole's accretion disk, allowing the viewer to see inside. Duration: 7.0 seconds Available formats:   1280x720 (30 fps) QUICKTIME 24 MB   1280x720 (60 fps) MPEG-4   5 MB   1280x720   Frames   320x180     PNG           285 KB   160x80       PNG           67 KB   80x40         PNG           17 KB How to play our movies Animation Number: 10139 Animator: Dana Berry (Lead) Studio: NASA Completed: 2005-06-01 Writer: Mike McClare (HTSI) Goddard TV Tape: G2007-007HD Keywords: SVS >> HDTV SVS >> Black Hole SVS >> Astrophysics     Please give credit for this item to NASA Back to Top + Privacy Policy and Important Notices + Reproduction Guidelines NASA Official: Content Contact: Curator: