In space, a black hole is a spot where gravity is so strong that anything that is in its close proximity, even light, can be pulled into it. Once anything gets too close to a black hole, it cannot escape from the black hole’s power, despite it trying to move at a very fast pace. Moreover, if a planet or a star comes near this spot, the gravitational force of the black hole will pull it with so much force that it gets stretched out. This process of pulling and stretching is known as spaghettification. Commonly, there are 4 kinds of black holes in space which are intermediate, stellar, miniature, and supermassive, but the most usual way a black hole forms is when a big star dies.
Apart from all this, the most common question that is going on is whether space planets can sink into the black hole or not. Though it is possible and the idea is very fascinating, but the chances are very rare. As we all know, black holes are super-strong regions in space from where not even light can escape. So for a planet to sink into it, it needs to be very close to a black hole or we can say the space planet should be in its event horizon. However, the chances of this happening are very low.
Black Holes Follow The Laws Of Gravity
This dense and compact object in space follows the rule of gravity just like other objects present in our solar system. It is said that the gravitational pull of a black hole is so powerful that not even light can surpass it. Because of the black hole’s gravity, it is said that the planets cannot sink into it. Rather, this force will move them away from the black hole instead of pulling them in.
Tidal Forces Of Black Hole Might Rip The Space Planets Apart
Usually, Black holes are formed when massive stars are collapsed. Because the mass of this region is packed into a very small place, it has a super-strong gravitational force. Due to this, space planets cannot be sunk into the black hole because its tidal force has the ultimate power to rip them apart if they get anywhere nearby to the black hole. Simply, it is unlikely for a planet to sink into a black hole because its strong gravity could tear the planet apart.
Space Planets Should Not Orbit Too Close To A Black Hole
Mostly, in our solar system, black holes are located very far from the space planets. So, the possibility of a planet sinking or falling into this dense and powerful region is extremely low. But, if a planet orbits in close proximity to a black hole in the solar system, then it can be pulled in by the black hole. Not only this, if a planet comes within the black hole’s event horizon region, there are high chance that it will sink into the black hole. The boundary around the black hole is the event horizon region which is normally called the point of no return. Therefore, if a planet enters this region, it will be pulled into the black hole because of its gravitational force after spaghettification.
Black Holes Are Located Far Away From Planets
As revealed by NASA, the gravitational pull of a black hole is very strong but in our solar system, they are usually situated far away from the planets. Almost all planets stay in their respective orbits and are not in close proximity to black holes. As said earlier, black holes only suck or pull those space objects which are too close to them. However, since the black holes are located far away from where the planets orbit, then, planets do not have the high risk of getting pulled in.
Space Planets Can Get Destroyed By The Black Hole’s Power
Usually, the chances of planets getting sucked into the black hole are very rare. But if they get too close to a black hole, the black hole can destroy it, before actually pulling it in. Just like spaghettification, incineration is one of the ways through which a black hole can destroy a space planet. In this, a black hole’s intense heat and pressure, which is mainly caused due to its gravitational force, burns up the planet, destroying it completely.
Habitable Planet Can Orbit A Black Hole
After the above discussion, the question that stays in everyone’s mind is whether is planet that has life on it can orbit a black hole or not. Though, the answer is in the affirmative as per the theories available, but it would be very difficult for a habitable planet to survive. For a habitable planet to orbit a black hole, it has to be at the right distance from the black hole. If a space planet is situated at the appropriate distance, it will orbit this dense region without getting pulled in.
However, it will pose some challenges making it difficult for the planet to survive. The black hole emits harmful radiation which could destroy life on the space planets. Moreover, the excessive gravity of the black hole might spoil or even rip the planet’s orbit. Further, for a planet to survive, it needs an adequate amount of energy. When a space planet orbits a black hole, it needs to orbit close to the event horizon from where it will get enough energy. But, the event horizon or the boundary of a black hole is a very dangerous place. Also, if any planet, that has life, orbits near the black hole, time dilation would occur which might keep the planet warm. This means that time on that planet will slow down as compared to other planets which are located far away.
In conclusion, based upon the above discussion, we can say that the chances of space planets sinking into a black hole are very low. Though the gravity of the black hole can harm a planet but it’s unlikely for it to swallow it, until and unless a planet is on the black hole’s event horizon.