Based on current observations and the provided information, the celestial object arguably considered the "strongest hole" in the universe, due to its immense gravitational pull associated with its mass, is the black hole TON 618.
Black holes are cosmic entities with gravitational forces so powerful that nothing, not even light, can escape once it crosses their event horizon. The "strength" of a black hole is directly related to its mass – the more massive a black hole, the stronger its gravitational pull.
According to the provided reference:
- There is a theoretical limit to how large black holes can become.
- The largest directly observed black hole with a confirmed mass is TON 618.
- This monster black hole weighs roughly 40 billion solar masses.
- TON 618 is considered to be right around the theoretical limit for black hole size.
This makes TON 618 the most massive, and thus the "strongest" in terms of gravitational influence, black hole that has been directly observed and confirmed.
Let's look at some key facts about TON 618:
- Type: Ultralarge black hole / Hyperluminous quasar
- Location: Constellation Canes Venatici
- Mass: Approximately 40 billion solar masses
- Discovery: Identified as a radio source in 1957, later confirmed as a quasar containing an extremely massive black hole.
Considering the immense mass of TON 618 compared to other known black holes, its gravitational field exerts an unparalleled influence on its surroundings, fitting the description of the "strongest hole" in the observable universe as identified by its mass.
Here's a simple comparison:
| Object Type | Approximate Mass | Strength (Gravitational Pull) |
|---|---|---|
| Our Sun | 1 solar mass | Baseline |
| Stellar Black Hole | 5 - 100 solar masses | Extremely Strong |
| Supermassive Black Hole (e.g., Sagittarius A*) | ~4 million solar masses | Immensely Strong |
| TON 618 | ~40 billion solar masses | Unfathomably Strong |
Source: What's the biggest black hole in the universe? - Live Science
While there might theoretically be even more massive black holes lurking undiscovered in the universe, or those whose mass estimates are less certain, TON 618 stands as the champion among directly observed, confirmed massive black holes, making it the leading candidate for the "strongest hole" based on its gravitational dominance.
