BLACK HOLE - CSE 167 - Student: FREDERICK BIRCHMORE

Description

This program attempts to satisfy both the scientist and the layperson by simulating 
two separate representations of a black hole. The default representation is not realistic, 
though it vaguely resembles a black hole's event horizon, but it attempts to satisfy the 
user with a colorful “space tornado” of particles spiraling both down and inward towards
the black hole, which is represented by a solid black sphere. When the “r” key is pressed, 
the second black hole is displayed which attempts to satisfy the more science-oriented 
user with a slightly more realistic representation of a black hole.

Since placing a black sphere against a black, star-speckled background would be quite 
boring, a primitive (ie: simple) particle engine has been implemented in order to 
represent the effect of each black hole on nearby matter. Each particle is given a 
random “descent” time which will cause it to fall into the black hole either faster with 
fewer revolutions (ie: sometimes straight into the black hole), or slower with more 
revolutions (more inward spiraling).

Screenshots

The following image illustrates the default, imaginary blackhole with large particles and color scheme #1:

This image illustrates the more realistic blackhole with medium-sized particles and color scheme #3:

This is a top view of the imaginary blackhole using color scheme #1 and smaller particles:

This is a side view of the imaginary blackhole using color scheme #3 and many small particles:

This is a side view of the imaginary blackhole using color scheme #4 and medium particles: