TON 618 VS. PHOENIX A | Which Is Actually Larger?

TON 618 vs Phoenix A, which black hole is actually larger? In this video, we compare two of the most massive black holes ever discussed, exploring their size, mass, event horizons, accretion disks, and the science behind the estimates. TON 618 is often described as the largest black hole ever observed, with estimates reaching around 66 billion solar masses. But Phoenix A is sometimes claimed to be even more massive, potentially approaching 100 billion solar masses. So which one is actually larger? Using cinematic simulations and scale comparisons, we take a closer look at TON 618, from its immense event horizon to its mind-bending scale compared with the Solar System and some of the largest stars known. Then we turn to Phoenix A, the supermassive black hole believed to lie at the center of the Phoenix Cluster. And this is where things become complicated. The famous estimate of around 100 billion solar masses for Phoenix A is highly uncertain and comes from indirect modeling rather than the same type of direct dynamical constraints available for TON 618. Depending on the assumptions used, Phoenix A could potentially be much less massive, meaning it may not actually be larger than TON 618 at all. We also explore what would happen if Phoenix A were only four light-years from Earth, how enormous its accretion disk could appear in our sky, what happens near an event horizon, gravitational time dilation, extreme gravity, and one of the greatest mysteries in modern physics: what actually lies inside a black hole? TON 618 vs Phoenix A isn't simply a battle between two enormous black holes. It's also a question about how confidently we can measure objects billions of light-years away. So, which is actually larger? If you like this video, please consider subscribing to Beyond the Rings, and join our growing Youtube community: www.youtube.com/@UCppyAe3EEAGcGknEr4C4H-A You may also like this: https://youtu.be/n5TOFjhHAq0 https://youtu.be/G0szH2V_I1A And this: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKQDRhWfXcTk1LhFhl2PA-_CYOpI5ouiL #ton618 #phoenixa #blackhole #astronomy #space More info: https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/ https://www.nasa.gov/universe/nasa-animation-sizes-up-the-universes-biggest-black-holes/ https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/phoenix-cluster/ https://science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/webb-maps-full-picture-of-how-phoenix-galaxy-cluster-forms-stars/ Credit: Space Engine Pro Universe Sandbox - https://universesandbox.com/ Advanced editing techniques Elevenlabs Epidemic Sound Uppbeat - License code: FAJJPH4ZZIARQZSB TON 618's image: SDSS via NASA https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ton-618-sdss.jpg Phoenix Cluster's image: NASA, ESA, and NRAO https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/phoenix-cluster/ Beyond the Rings. All rights reserved. To get in touch with us: [email protected] Official website: https://btrings.com/