Black-hole process

Quasi-Periodic Oscillation

A near-regular flickering in the X-ray brightness of matter orbiting a black hole or neutron star, revealed in the power spectrum as a broad peak rather than a sharp tone. QPOs probe the innermost accretion flow, close to the innermost stable circular orbit, and are used to study strong gravity — though their exact origin is still debated.

Highlights

›X-ray flickering that probes the inner accretion flow

Black Hole
Accretion Disk
The Innermost Stable Circular Orbit

Knowledge connections

Associated withBlack Hole
Associated withAccretion Disk
Associated withThe Innermost Stable Circular Orbit

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

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Quasi-Periodic Oscillation

Highlights

Classes, physics & objects

Knowledge connections

Sources

Quasi-Periodic Oscillation

Highlights

Classes, physics & objects

Knowledge connections

Sources