Prepare to embark on a mind-bending journey as NASA takes us on a simulated plunge into a supermassive black hole. Utilizing their powerful supercomputers, NASA has created a stunning 360° view simulation, allowing us to witness the mind-boggling distortions and strange phenomena that occur as we venture closer to the event horizon.

The simulation begins with the camera positioned an incredible distance of nearly 400 million miles (640 million kilometers) away from the black hole. As we approach, the black hole rapidly fills our view, and we witness the distortion of its disk, photon rings, and the night sky. The fabric of space-time becomes increasingly warped, resulting in the formation of multiple images as light traverses this twisted environment.

In real time, it takes approximately 3 hours for the camera to reach the event horizon, completing two 30-minute orbits along the way. However, from an observer’s perspective, the camera would never quite make it to the horizon. As we approach closer, the image of the camera slows down and appears to freeze just shy of the point of no return. This fascinating phenomenon is the reason astronomers initially referred to black holes as “frozen stars.”

At the event horizon, even space-time itself is pulled inward at the cosmic speed limit – the speed of light. Once the camera crosses this threshold, it and the space-time surrounding it rush towards the center of the black hole, known as a singularity. At the singularity, which is a one-dimensional point, the laws of physics as we understand them cease to exist.

However, the camera’s fate is sealed once it enters the event horizon. Within a mere 12.8 seconds, it will be torn apart by a process known as “spaghettification.” From there, it is just a short distance of 79,500 miles (128,000 kilometers) to the singularity. This final leg of the journey occurs in the blink of an eye, highlighting the extreme gravitational forces at play.

Prepare to have your mind blown as you witness the incredible simulation of a journey into a supermassive black hole. Experience the mind-bending distortions and the awe-inspiring power of these cosmic behemoths. Join NASA on this captivating exploration of the mysteries of the universe.