<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />The idea that black holes actively devour objects (i.e. suck them in) is a common one, and a generally incorrect one.<br /><br />A black hole behaves no differently at a distance than any other massive object (stars, planets, even galaxies). It's only when you get really close that any differences are noticed. Even then, those are merely exagerated effects that even other massive objects have, but are to weak to really notice.<br /><br />But I'll tell you what any other source will (and I suggest you read them): If you were to replace the sun with a BH of the same mass, earth's orbit wouldn't change. We'd freeze to death (no sunlight!) but we wouldn't be sucked in.<br /><br />Anyway, a quick google search will lead you to a half dozen or so good FAQs on black holes, almost all of which will cover this exact same question, and others you have (and plenty you haven't thought of!). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>