Hubble Probes Quasar Tsunamis Rip Across Galaxies
This is an artist's concept of a distant galaxy with an active quasar at its center. A quasar emits exceptionally large amounts of energy generated by a supermassive black hole fueled by infalling matter. Using the unique capabilities of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered that blistering radiation pressure from the vicinity of the black hole pushes material away from the galaxy's center at a fraction of the speed of light. The "quasar winds" are propelling hundreds of solar masses of material each year. This affects the entire galaxy as the material forces itself into surrounding gas and dust.
Link
Credit:NASA, ESA, and J. Olmsted (STScI)
About the Image
NASA press release
NASA caption
NASA caption
Id: | opo2010a |
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Type: | Artwork |
Release date: | 25 March 2020, 13:08 |
Size: | 3840 x 2160 px |
About the Object
Type: | Early Universe : Galaxy : Activity : AGN : Quasar |
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Category: | Quasars and Black Holes |