Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Caught in the Web: Visualization of a Black Hole Merger in the Tarantula Nebula

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for April 3, 2026 is “Caught in the Web: Visualization of a Black Hole Merger in the Tarantula Nebula,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Illustration Credit & Copyright: Artwork: Carl Knox ( OzGrav , Swinburne University of Technology ); Astrophotography: Blake Estes & Christian Sasse , iTelescope.net ; Text: Cecilia Chirenti ( NASA GSFC , UMCP , CRESST II )). The original explanation runs about 159 words.

Illustration showing a binary black hole close to merger in front of the Tarantula Nebula. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
Credit: Illustration Credit & Copyright: Artwork: Carl Knox ( OzGrav , Swinburne University of Technology ); Astrophotography: Blake Estes & Christian Sasse , iTelescope.net ; Text: Cecilia Chirenti ( NASA GSFC , UMCP , CRESST II ) Copyrighted Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“How can we see what is invisible? Black holes are not easy to see in the dark cosmic night, but astronomers can find them by analyzing their gravitational effects on matter , light and spacetime .”

— APOD editors, April 3, 2026

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
April 3, 2026
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Illustration Credit & Copyright: Artwork: Carl Knox ( OzGrav , Swinburne University of Technology ); Astrophotography: Blake Estes & Christian Sasse , iTelescope.net ; Text: Cecilia Chirenti ( NASA GSFC , UMCP , CRESST II )
Copyright
Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 159 words

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Topics in this entry

NebulaeGalaxiesBlack holes

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: April 3 in other years

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.