Aspect

Details

Discovery

The brightest object ever observed in the universe, identified as a quasar.

Observation Tool

European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT).

Quasar Name

J0529-4351

Brightness

Over 500 trillion times brighter than the sun.

Growth Rate

Growing at a rate equivalent to one sun per day.

Mass

Equivalent to 17 billion suns.

Distance from Earth

Light has taken over 12 billion years to reach Earth.

Accretion Disc

Measures seven light-years in diameter, the largest known accretion disc in the universe.

Initial Recognition

Visible since 1980, but only recently confirmed as a quasar due to its extreme brightness.

Significance

Provides insights into the early universe, black holes, and galaxy formation.

Object

Description

Key Characteristics

Quasars

Extremely bright and distant objects powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies.

Highly luminous, often outshine entire galaxies, significant redshift, rapid growth.

Blazars

A type of quasar with its relativistic jet pointed directly at Earth, making it appear extremely bright.

Variable brightness, strong radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, rapid variability.

Radio Galaxies

Galaxies with active supermassive black holes that emit large amounts of radio waves.

Significant radio emissions, often have large lobes of radio emission extending far beyond the galaxy.

Pulsars

Highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars emitting beams of electromagnetic radiation.

Periodic pulses of radiation, very regular intervals, strong magnetic fields.

Stars

Celestial bodies composed primarily of hydrogen and helium undergoing nuclear fusion.

Range in size and brightness, steady light emission, characterized by color, size, and temperature.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements about quasars is correct?

A. Quasars are the remnants of exploded supernovae and emit most of their radiation in the infrared spectrum.

B. Quasars are extremely luminous objects powered by the accretion of matter into supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies.

C. Quasars are small, rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit regular pulses of radiation.

D. Quasars are dim, distant stars that are primarily identified by their color and temperature.

Answer: B