Universe ID: 4183

Capturing Dark Matter with Black Holes

Visualizations by Tom Bridgman Released on June 23, 2015

In this visualization, we plot the trajectories of random-distribution of hypothesized dark matter particles around a maximally-rotating black hole. The particles captured by the hole are seen collecting around the event horizon in the center, the particles experiencing stronger and stronger redshift, respresented by the stronger red coloration of the particle trail.

The ergosphere is represented by the bluish oblate spheroid shape around the spherical event horizon. Inside the ergosphere, the distortion of space is so strong that particles must be deflected and carried with the rotation of the black hole. Hence, while the particles are traveling all different directions far from the black hole, we see them carried in the same direction close to the event horizon.

Print resolution still from the visualization of dark matter particles collecting around a black hole, at later time...

Color bar for time-dilation value at the particle, including effects of gravity and speed. 'Ticks' means ticks of a clock, or seconds of time.

Visualization Credits

Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Animator
Laurence Schuler (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Project Support
Ian Jones (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Project Support
Francis Reddy (Syneren Technologies): Writer
Scott Wiessinger (USRA): Producer

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio