Astronomy, Stellar, Planetary News
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Hubble delivers unprecedented view of a quasar
illustration only
Hubble delivers unprecedented view of a quasar
by NASA Staff Writers
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Dec 06, 2024

Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have achieved an unprecedentedly close look into the core of a quasar - a luminous and energetic galactic nucleus powered by a supermassive black hole. This study reveals intricate structures surrounding the black hole and sheds new light on the dynamic processes fueling quasars.

According to Bin Ren of the Cote d'Azur Observatory and Universite Cote d'Azur, Hubble's observations unveiled an array of peculiar features near the quasar. "We've got a few blobs of different sizes, and a mysterious L-shaped filamentary structure. This is all within 16,000 light-years of the black hole," Ren explained. These structures may include small satellite galaxies being drawn toward the black hole, potentially supplying material to power the quasar's brilliance.

The quasar in focus, 3C 273, located 2.5 billion light-years away, was the first of its kind identified by astronomer Maarten Schmidt in 1963. Its immense luminosity - over ten times brighter than the largest giant elliptical galaxies - posed a significant mystery in cosmology. Hubble's advanced capabilities now allow researchers to peer into this complex environment, offering critical insights into the forces driving quasars.

In the 1990s, Hubble's observations began revealing the intricate environments of quasars, including evidence of galactic collisions and mergers. These events funnel material onto supermassive black holes, sparking the extraordinary energy output of quasars. Observing 3C 273 is akin to trying to discern an ant on the edge of a headlight's glare, but Hubble's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) functions like a coronagraph, blocking light from the central source and enabling astronomers to study the surrounding regions with remarkable clarity.

Using this technology, scientists have observed structures around 3C 273's black hole at a proximity eight times closer than ever before. The STIS data also revealed details about the quasar's 300,000-light-year-long jet of material, which travels through space at nearly the speed of light. Over two decades of archival comparisons showed that the jet accelerates as it moves farther from the black hole.

"With the fine spatial structures and jet motion, Hubble bridged a gap between the small-scale radio interferometry and large-scale optical imaging observations," Ren said. "Our previous view was very limited, but Hubble is allowing us to understand the complicated quasar morphology and galactic interactions in detail." Ren added that future studies with the James Webb Space Telescope could provide additional insights, especially in the infrared spectrum.

Quasars, which were most prevalent around three billion years after the Big Bang, serve as critical tools for studying cosmic history. At least a million quasars are scattered across the night sky, acting as bright background sources for various astronomical investigations.

Related Links
Hubble Space Telescope
Stellar Chemistry, The Universe And All Within It

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Hubble reveals edge-on spiral galaxy with unique structure
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 25, 2024
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a striking view of UGC 10043, a spiral galaxy located approximately 150 million light-years away in the Serpens constellation. This galaxy is seen edge-on, revealing a sharp silhouette of its disk rather than the familiar spiral arm pattern. From this vantage point, UGC 10043's disk appears as a distinct line with thick, dark dust lanes that obscure the light of the stars. If viewed from above, these dust formations would likely highlight the galaxy ... read more

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
NASA marks ten years of Hubble's Outer Planets Survey

Magnetic tornado is stirring up the haze at Jupiter's poles

Uranus moons could hold clues to hidden oceans for future space missions

A clue to what lies beneath the bland surfaces of Uranus and Neptune

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Towards independent robotic exploration of ocean worlds

A caving expedition highlights the complexities of field research

New planet in Kepler-51 system unveiled with JWST observations

Scientists examine role of iron sulfides in life's origins at early Earth hot springs

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Mars dust storms may be linked to warming weather patterns

Liquid on Mars was not necessarily all water

Purdue scientist expecting new world to reveal itself to Mars rover

China's Tianwen-1 probe reveals new insights into Martian internal gravity waves

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
NASA pinpoints cause of Orion heat shield char loss

Lunar research station advances global collaboration and talent development

NASA delays crewed lunar landing to 2027

NASA delays crewed Artemis II launch to April 2026 after heat shield issues

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Black holes at the heart of Milky Way's largest star cluster reshaped in new research

A mission design to extend the life of space telescopes

Zwicky Transient Facility Leads to Classification of 10,000 Supernovae

A star's surface reveals chaotic nonperiodic dynamo

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
Expanded AI Model with Global Data Enhances Earth Science Applications

Google says AI weather model masters 15-day forecast

MINE-THE-GAP project to transform mining oversight with AI and satellite data

Twin mini satellites provide new insights into polar heat emissions

STELLAR CHEMISTRY
New evidence of organic reservoirs found on Ceres

PSI researchers confirm new main-belt comet

MIT astronomers find the smallest asteroids ever detected in the main belt

Massive asteroid strikes left no lasting impact on Earth's climate

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.