In Cosmic Physics for $1000, Alex, "What is the Steady State Universe?"
The things that we observe as quasars are believed to be caused by huge black holes.
quasars
Light and radio waves.
Bright, distant, powerful, energetic, at the center of the galaxy.
quasistellar object Technically, I shall tell you a better answer than the other one!At the very edge of the visible Universe scientists can see extremely bright and powerful objects called quasars. Quasars are about the size of our Solar System and produce more light and energy than 1000 galaxies. Think how incredible that is. A small object, not any bigger than our Solar System making so much power and light that it shines brighter than 1000 galaxies. Why are there no quasars near the Earth? The most distant objects visible in the Universe When we look at quasars which are 10-15 billion light years away, we are looking 10-15 billion years into the past. The quasars near Earth have died down long ago. What could produce so much Power and light? Quasars are probably super giant black holes, which are devouring entire stars. These black holes lie at the center of galaxies, and glow brightly as matter funnels into them.
The steady state theory lost its appeal when astronomers discovered quasars and cosmic background radiation. This theory posited that the universe was eternal and unchanging on a large scale, but the detection of quasars indicated a dynamic universe with active galactic phenomena. Additionally, the discovery of cosmic background radiation provided strong evidence for the Big Bang theory, suggesting a specific origin point for the universe's expansion, contrary to the steady state concept.
The theory that gained significant appeal following the discovery of quasars and cosmic background radiation is the Big Bang Theory. This theory suggests that the universe began from an extremely hot and dense state and has been expanding ever since. The existence of quasars provided evidence for the early universe's rapid expansion and high energy levels, while cosmic background radiation offered a remnant signal of the universe's hot origins, supporting the Big Bang model. Together, these discoveries bolstered the understanding of the universe's evolution and structure.
# Cosmic background radiation (remnants of the Big Bang). # Quasars.
The first quasars were discovered in the 1950's
Three notable heavenly bodies discovered using radio waves include pulsars, quasars, and the cosmic microwave background radiation. Pulsars, which are rapidly rotating neutron stars emitting beams of radiation, were first identified in 1967 through radio signals. Quasars, incredibly bright and distant objects powered by supermassive black holes, were detected in the 1960s as strong radio sources. Additionally, the cosmic microwave background radiation, a remnant from the Big Bang, was discovered in 1965 using radio waves, providing crucial evidence for the Big Bang theory.
Astronomers determine the size of quasars by analyzing the variability of their light. Quasars show rapid and dramatic changes in brightness over short periods, indicating that they must be very compact, likely smaller than our own solar system. By studying the time scales of these changes, astronomers can estimate the size of quasars.
Stars, quasars, clusters, nebulae, galaxies, superclusters, the CMBR (Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation).
Quasars typically have large redshifts, which indicate that they are moving away from us at high speeds. This redshift is due to the expansion of the universe and can help astronomers determine the distance and age of quasars.
pulsar and quasars
Astronomers use telescopes, both ground-based and space-based, to study quasars. They observe the light emitted by quasars across different wavelengths, such as visible, ultraviolet, and X-ray, to learn more about their properties and behavior. Additionally, they analyze the spectra of quasars to understand their composition and the physical processes happening within them.
Quasars emit strong radio waves in addition to other forms of radiation like visible light. These radio emissions can be detected by radio telescopes, which is why quasars are sometimes colloquially referred to as "radio stars."
A radio telescope uses an antenna and receiver to detect radio waves emitted by astronomical objects. Unlike optical telescopes that observe visible light, radio telescopes capture radio frequencies, allowing astronomers to study phenomena such as pulsars, quasars, and cosmic microwave background radiation. The collected data is then processed to create images or spectra of the observed objects.