Simulation of a tidal disruption event (IMAGE)

University of Arizona

Simulation of a tidal disruption event

Caption

When a star ventures too close to a black hole, gravitational forces create intense tides that break the star apart into a stream of gas, resulting in a cataclysmic phenomenon known as a tidal disruption event. Tremendous amounts of energy are released, causing a tidal disruption to outshine its galaxy in some cases.

Credit

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Chris Smith (USRA/GESTAR)

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

Public Domain

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