Interactive Black Hole Simulation
A real-time visualization of gravitational lensing around a black hole.
What it does
Interactive Keyboard Controls: [SPACE] : Pause / Resume physics clock [R] : Reset particle distribution [UP]/[DOWN]: Speed up / Slow down physics time [W]/[S]: Tilt camera pitch (up / down) [A]/[D]: Orbit camera yaw (left/right) [I]/[0]: Zoom in / Zoom out Interactive Mouse Shepherding: [Left-Click + Drag]: Spawn attractive gravitational well [Right-Click + Drag]: Spawn repulsive gravity repulsion
Event Horizon Explorer is an interactive real-time simulation that demonstrates how a black hole distorts light through gravitational lensing. The simulation visualizes a central event horizon surrounded by a glowing accretion disk, where intense gravity bends the paths of photons and creates the characteristic warped appearance observed near black holes.
The rendering is performed in real time, allowing users to observe the effects of spacetime curvature from different perspectives. As light travels around the black hole, multiple images of the accretion disk become visible due to strong gravitational bending, producing the distinctive halo-like structures around the event horizon.
The project combines concepts from astrophysics and computer graphics to create an engaging educational visualization inspired by Einstein's theory of general relativity. It is designed to help users understand phenomena such as gravitational lensing, photon trajectories, and the event horizon through an interactive and visually compelling experience. By blending scientific principles with efficient rendering techniques, the simulation offers an accessible way to explore one of the universe's most fascinating objects.