M82 X-1: A intermediate mass black hole in the constellation Ursa Major.

Something near the core of the galaxy M82 is pumping out copious amounts of X-rays. But the source, cataloged as M82 X-1, isn't steady. One possible explanation is a black hole perhaps 1,000 times as massive as the Sun. The X-ray source is in or near a cluster of hot, young stars about 600 light-years from the core of M82, which is classified as a starburst galaxy. The galaxy is giving birth to... More »

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Video: Stranger Than Fiction

The concept of black holes has intrigued scientists for hundreds of years. For an introduction to the topic, watch "Black Holes: Stranger than Fiction," the latest video from the Texas Cosmology Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

Pop Culture

Check out our selection of some of the best — and worst — roles played by black holes in movies, TV shows, books, and music. More »

The Hole Story

Black holes are one of the busiest research topics in all of astronomy. Learn more about this cutting-edge research and get a peek at the backgrounds of some of the world's top black-hole researchers. More »

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