Quasar Pairs Show One Good Black Hole Deserves Another - The Cosmic Companion - April 8, 2021
Double the fun as a pair of quasar pairs are seen in the early Universe, as they head toward collision
A pair of quasar pairs in the ancient Universe give us a look at the future of our own galaxy.
An artist’s concept showing a pair of quasars closing in on each other in the early Universe. Image credit: NASA/ESA/J. Olmstead/STScI
Two quasar pairs seen in the early Universe are the oldest, most-distant bodies objects of their kind yet seen in the Cosmos.
Quasars are extremely energetic galaxies, powered by highly-active supermassive black holes near their centers. Matter falling into the behemoth void in the galactic core radiates vast amounts of energy out to space, forming a quasar. While this process is active, these supermassive black holes can outshine entire galaxies.
The quasars in each pair examined in this new study are just 10,000 light years from each other. This may sound like quite a distance, but this is just one-tenth the distance from one side of our galaxy to the other. This proximity suggests the quasars are found within merging galaxies.
Read more: https://thecosmiccompanion.net/quasar-pairs-show-one-good-black-hole-deserves-another
April is going to be an exciting month on Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion! Here’s a look at our guests:
THIS WEEK: April 6 (s4/14): A look forward to Yuri’s Night – the 60th anniversary of the first human spaceflight and the 40th anniversary of the first launch of the Space Shuttle with a special appearance from three-time shuttle astronaut Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space. She was NOAA Administrator under President Obama, and just became the first woman to visit the deepest point in the ocean.
April 13 (s4/e15): Affelia Wibisono of University College London, discussing the recent discovery of X-rays from Uranus.
April 20 (s4/e16): Andrew Fazekas, Nat Geo’s “Night Sky Guy,” talking about his National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky.
April 27 (s4/e17): Ohad Harlev, CEO of Lyteloop, discussing new technology to store data in space.
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- James