Assignment 2 - Due 2/26/2002

Please answer in complete sentences!

• Read the article entitled "Fire and Ice", and answer the following questions:
  
  1. Why does the sun get smaller, bluer and much hotter in the story than it usually does?
  
  2. This story is not real, and will never actually happen.  Why? (Look on pages 120-121 for
  help.)
  
  3. Go to the web site http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap001210.html  This image shows what
  it would be like to look at a black hole from nearby.  Using the description in the article around page 121 and the web page, explain what is going on in the picture.
  
  
  
• Read the article by Neil F. Comins, and answer the following questions:
  
  1. The article talks about several misconceptions about black holes.  A misconception is a false idea about 
  an object or person that people believe to be true.  Pick one of the misconceptions, and explain what it
  is, and what is wrong about it.  Write in a way that your parents could undestand what you are talking about.
  
  

2. Who came up with the name "black hole"?

3. Tell me one new fact or idea from this article that you didn't know before.  Would you like to know
more about it?

4. Does matter usually fall into a black hole from all directions, or does it spiral in from a disk?

5. Name the three types of black holes discussed in this article, and give their masses.


• Go to the following web site:  http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/black_hole_sun.html   Summarize the misconception that is discussed on this web page.  Why do you think people might get this misconception?