What does a black hole do to space and time?

Answer 1

Per Einstein's General Theory, which is the theory of gravitation, gravity affects space itself. A black hole (or any mass) by way of analogy is like a weight on a rubber sheet which stretches the sheet; in this sense a black hole is shown to 'stretch' space to an extreme curvature or gradient which is effectively infinite.

Rotating black holes are also calculated to evidence a phenomenon called frame-dragging, in which the space itself around them in spinning in the same direction as that of the black hole.

Answer 2

Aside from space, the structure surounding a black hole is an event horizon (Or apparent horizon depending on if you go by Hawking's new theories or not). The "black hole" is actually the event horizon while the object of the hole itself is the gravitational singularity at the center.

The event horizon is a rubicon wherein escape velocity becomes faster than light (Photons cannot escape once passed the event horizon, hence "black" hole).

Answer 3

Because of its intense gravity (there is no stronger gravitational source), space and time both stretch in the vicinity of a black hole. If you were to fall in toward a black hole, to the rest of the universe, you would slow down; someone outside would observe you aging only a minute while the rest of the universe ages a year or more.

All gravitational fields have this effect, but it is most pronounced with a black hole because black holes have the strongest gravity fields.