16K views · 82 reactions | So, black holes are probably really complicated, right? Actually, no! Our astronomer, Dr. Michael Zevin, breaks down the commonly asked question, what are black holes? ️ Got a question for our astronomers? Drop it in the comments below! ⬇️ #AdlerPlanetarium #BlackHoleWeek #BlackHoles #Astronomy | The Adler Planetarium | Facebook

72K views · 882 reactions | Our Milky Way is calm compared to active galaxies, whose central black holes can sling-shot jets of material across space at near-light-speed. The jets emit light and, like lighthouse beams, are brightest when pointed at us. https://tmblr.co/Zz_Uqj2VhC7pa #NationalLighthouseDay | NASA Universe | Facebook

What is a magnetar? Magnetars are a type of neutron star, an incredibly dense object composed mainly of very compact neutrons, which forms from the collapsed core of a massive star during a supernova. What distinguishes magnetars from other neutron stars is that they also have the most powerful known magnetic fields in the universe. For context, the strength of our planet's magnetic field has a value of approximately 0.25 Gauss, while a cooler magnet measures approximately 100 Gauss. Magnetars,