What Is a Quasar?

The space science sphere is brimming with words, names and phrases that are suitably otherworldly. ‘Quasar’ is one of the latest terms to spark interest, with the sophisticated RadioAstron space telescope honing in on one of the illusive interstellar objects almost immediately.

Inhabiting the hearts of active young galaxies, quasars are one of the brightest, most powerful objects in the universe. Singlehandedly they emit up to a thousand times more energy than the Milky Way, which is home to a huge 200-400 billion stars.

A 10 trillion-degree space goliath

They’re not often spotted but when they are, excitement is profuse. According to the team of international researchers who released their findings in peer reviewed publication ‘Astrophysical Journal Letters,’ quasar 3C 273 lies at the heart of a colossus elliptical galaxy, and shines 4 trillion times brighter than the Sun. The phenomenon clocks in at ten trillion degrees, and is currently releasing jets that are 70 times hotter than previously thought. This would see them top the 100 billion degrees Kelvin mark.

Dr. Yuri Kovalev, a project scientist at RadioAstron project scientist explains, “We measure the effective temperature of the quasar core to be hotter than 10 trillion degrees!”

A collaborative effort

Operating at radio wavelength, RadioAstron teams up with ground-based instruments such as Arecibo and the Very Large Array. Drawing on collaborative data, the telescope is able to examine radiation and generate high quality images. Quasar 3C 273 was one of the telescope’s first targets, located around 2.4 billion light-years away. At wavelengths of 18, 6.2, and 1.35 centimetres, RadioAstron was able to examine radiation and estimate the temperature of both its core, and it jets. The resolution was so detailed that Kovalev and his team were able to visually identify the scattering effects of the quasar, and view a real-life distortion of an extragalactic object.

"Only this space-Earth system could reveal this temperature, and now we have to figure out how that environment can reach such temperatures," said Kovalev. “This result is a significant challenge to our current understanding of quasar jets."

As well as being used to measure intergalactic heat, the Kelvin temperature scale is also employed on planet Earth. ‘Turn Up The Heat And Go Green’ explores a revolutionary new approach to separation science, that doesn’t compromise on sustainability. By raising the mobile phase temperature and decreasing or eliminating entirely the need for an organic solvent, it explains how laboratories can pioneer for a greener liquid chromatography process.

Image via Flickr Creative Commons. Photo credits: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center