Astrophysics experts have put together a more straightforward method to locate and identify one of the rarest extragalactic objects. The new process of finding a quasar, which experts develop at the University of Bath, will lead to many clues to some of the questions in and out of our galaxy. For example, observing a quasar can also help us understand more about black holes and how it expands. In addition, it is believed that the massive celestial object can nurture and regulate the mysterious galactic abyss.
According to the study published on arXiv entitled "A systematic search for changing-look quasars in SDSS-II using difference spectra", the experts assessed the transitions of minimal wavelength using spectroscopic data. This produced viable information of the quasars compared to the limited figures of the photometric searches.
What are Quasars?
A quasar is a huge celestial body that emits an enormous amount of energy, making it seem to glow millions of light-years away. It can also reduce its luminosity depending on the activity it produces. The alteration of quasar's appearance drove scientists to name it as "changing-look quasar." The reason for the said transformation of the stellar object is still up for research, reports Phys.org.
The stellar object is theorized to be a product of black holes, more specifically supermassive black holes, that feed off disintegrating matter. The feast of the enormous black holes creates radiations that ignite light so bright it outshines the stars of the host galaxy's stars combined, giving birth to the quasar.
This process will repeat after millions of years, and due to the merging of the supermassive black hole, the host galaxy, and the quasar, a bigger, more colossal black hole will be formed. This process will happen to our galaxy in the next billions of years, when the Milky Way converges with one of the nearest galaxy, Andromeda.
The luminosity of the quasar varies from time to time for an unknown reason. The radiance fades for long periods of time, making it more challenging to be identified among the system of the host galaxy.
With the new method, astrophysicists will be able to detect quasars that undergo brightness transitions and research the reason why it switches its brightness. This is also a way to observe and study more about supermassive black holes.
The mystery of quasars can lead to a better analysis of the increase in the multiplication of galaxies and their origins. The relation of the effects of the energy emissions from the black holes and the evolution of galaxy are among the anticipated findings once the new quasar identifier is successful, according to Dr. Carolin Villforth, University of Bath's AGN (active galactic nuclei) researcher and lecturer.
Double Quasars Captured by Hubble
Recently, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures a two "double quasar." These merging quasars from separate galaxies 10,000 light-years apart. The two pairs of galaxies are seen clearly through the telescope due to the ignition of quasars, mainly an effect of their respective black holes.
The four quasars, however, are challenging to study. This is because the light emission formed by the galaxy's collision was formed 10 billion years ago and is blanketed by thick, foggy after effect. European Space Agency's Gaia and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey are the possible satellites to be used for additional research.
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