Binary Accretion Around a Black Hole

This animation illustrates schematically the transfer of matter from a star to an accretion disk around a black hole, subsequent heating of the accretion disk and emission of X-rays from the hot disk, spiraling of matter from the accretion disk into the black hole, and bipolar mass ejection in jets oriented on the polar axis of the spinning black hole. Usage: Click the "Play" button to begin the animation. The animation will continue until you close it (there is no end). You may click the "Home" button to restart at any time.