Re: Relativity misinformation and black holes (was: Singularity Temperature/Infalling material)

[John Mallinckrodt <ajmallinckro@CSUPOMONA.EDU>]

On Fri, 13 Apr 2001, Michael Bowen wrote:

> ... There is also an interesting theoretical calculation that
> estimates the maximum proper time it should take for matter to
> be absorbed (scrunched?) into the singularity after crossing
> the event horizon of a non-rotating, uncharged black hole; it
> works out to <~15 microseconds times the mass of the black
> hole (expressed in solar masses). For garden-variety holes,
> even if the tidal forces didn't get you while you were still
> outside, you wouldn't have much time to make observations (or
> contemplate your fate) once inside.

On the other hand, it is interesting (and not an accident) that if
one considers a black hole with the mass of the universe, this
"fall time" works out to be about the age of the universe.

John Mallinckrodt      mailto:ajm@csupomona.edu
Cal Poly Pomona          http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajm