Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > A Dictionary of Astronomy > January 1997

supermassive black hole

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | 429 words | Copyright

supermassive black hole A black hole formed from the collapse of an object, such as a massive gas cloud, significantly more massive than typical stars. By ‘supermassive’ astronomers usually mean greater than 105 solar masses. Such objects can increase their mass by accreting material from their surroundings, and the energy released in this process may be responsible for the activity seen in galaxies and quasars.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"supermassive black hole." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"supermassive black hole." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-supermassiveblackhole.html

"supermassive black hole." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-supermassiveblackhole.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: