Black holes are incredibly cold, approaching absolute zero.
Understanding Black Hole Temperature
The temperature of a black hole is not directly measurable in the same way we measure the temperature of everyday objects. Instead, it's a theoretical concept related to Hawking radiation. This radiation, predicted by Stephen Hawking, is incredibly faint and only significant for smaller black holes. Larger black holes, like supermassive black holes, emit even less Hawking radiation, making them effectively even colder.
- Stellar Black Holes: These have a temperature near absolute zero – 0 Kelvin, or -273.15 degrees Celsius.
- Supermassive Black Holes: These are even colder than stellar black holes due to their significantly lower Hawking radiation emission.
The coldness of a black hole is a consequence of its immense gravity and the absence of significant heat sources within the black hole itself. While the area immediately surrounding a black hole can be incredibly hot due to friction and other energetic processes, the black hole itself remains extremely cold.
The Concept of Absolute Zero
Absolute zero (0 Kelvin, -273.15°C) represents the lowest possible temperature where all molecular motion ceases. While a black hole’s temperature technically isn't zero due to Hawking radiation, it's so close to absolute zero that for all practical purposes, we can consider it exceptionally cold.
