Caption

Visualisation of a black hole. Third in a series of four images from a computer simulation of gravitational waves emitted by a disturbed black hole. Here, the black hole is close to achieving equilibrium, and is surrounded by gravitational waves. The colour and the height of each point represent different aspects of the gravitational wave fields; the black line near centre is the apparent surface of the black hole. As the black hole seeks its equilibrium state, it emits characteristic gravitational waves (its 'signature') in accordance with the General Theory of Relativity. Compare with R670/047, 048 & 050.