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Black Holes
http://cosmology.berkeley.edu/Education/BHfaq.html
- This "Black Holes FAQ" answers your questions about black holes, such as "What would happen to me if I fell into a black hole?", "What if the Sun became a black hole?", and "What is a wormhole?"
http://hubblesite.org/discoveries/black_holes/
- This web site, "Black Holes - Gravity's Relentless Pull" is an exciting, in-depth exploration of the astronomy and physics of black holes. It offers astronomical images, animations, interactive experiments (some with audio), and an encyclopedia of accurate, up-to-date information. The site also explains many basic concepts about physics, astronomy, and science in general, including light, gravity, and the scale of our Universe. No specific prior knowledge about astronomy or physics is required.
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/universe_level1/black_holes.html
- This page explains for the K-4 student what black holes are and how we know they exist.
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/universe_level2/black_holes.html
- This page contains information about black holes and how we know they exist, links to glossary terms and a movie about a "Journey into a Blackhole."
Books
Gaustad, John & Zeilik, Michael, Astronomy: The Cosmic Perspective- second edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1990. This text was designed for an introductory astronomy course for upper high school or undergraduate students who want a comprehensive view and understanding of modern astronomy, including black holes (see Chapters 20 & 21).
Giacconi, R. & Gursky, H., X-Ray Astronomy, D. Reidel Publishing Company. Known as a 'classic' X-ray astromomy text book. Includes discussion of black holes (see Chapters 4 & 6) at a level intended for the undergraduate science major, or above.
Giacconi, R. & Tucker, W., The X-ray Universe, Harvard University Press, 1985. Considered to be another 'classic' X-ray astromomy text book. Includes discussion of black holes (see Chapter 7) at a level intended for the undergraduate science major, or above.
- Kaufmann, William J. III, Universe, Freeman and Company, 1994. This book comes highly recommended from both students and scientists. It explains many concepts in astronomy from cosmology to high-energy astrophysics, including information on black holes (see Chapter 24). Intended for the upper high school student with a strong science background and interest, or the undergraduate science major taking a basic astronomy course.
- Levy, David H., A Nature Company Guide: Skywatching, Time-Life Books, 1995. This book provides a general overview and discussion of astronomical objects, including black holes. For students in middle school or above.
Mitton, Jacqueline & Simon, The Young Oxford Book of Astronomy, Oxford University Press, Inc., 1995. This book explains many concepts in astronomy from the Solar System, galaxies, and the Universe, including black holes. Intended for the middle or high school student.
- Rosen, Sidney, How Far is a Star?, Carolrhoda Books, Inc.,1992. With cartoon characters leading the way, you'll find out about our Sun and other stars (including black holes) in this question-and-answer book. Intended for students in elementary school.
- Seward, Frederick D. and Charles, Philip A., Exploring the X-ray Universe, Cambridge University Press, 1995. Explains X-ray astronomy and astrophysics along with its most recent developments. Intended for the undergraduate science major, or above.
- Voyage Through the Universe: Stars, Time-Life Books. This volume is one of a series that examines the Universe in all its aspects. General information for the upper high school student (and above), related to black holes, will be found in the 'Neutron Stars and Black Holes' chapter.
Magazine Articles
Charles, Philip A. & Wagner, R. Mark, "Black Holes in Binary Stars: Weighing the Evidence", Sky and Telescope, May 1996, vol. 91, no. 5. >From this article, one can understand that by making X-ray observations, astronomers are sometimes able to detect black holes (especially when coupled to a normal star in a binary system). Intended for the high school student interested in science, or above.
- Schulkin, Bonnie, "Does a Monster Lurk Closeby", Astronomy, September 1997, vol. 25, no. 9. Describes the possibility of a massive black hole existing at the heart of our Milky Way Galaxy. Intended for the high school student interested in science, or above.
- Berstein, Jeremy, "The Reluctant Father of Black Holes", Scientific American, June 1996, vol. 274, no. 6. Discusses the details of how Einstein's equations of gravity are the foundation of the modern view of black holes. Intended for the high school student who is interested in science, and above.