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Quasi-Stellar

Short answer: A quasar is an extremely luminous active galactic nucleus: a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy surrounded by a gaseous accretion disk. As gas falls toward the black hole it heats up and releases enormous energy across the electromagnetic spectrum, often outshining the host galaxy.

The name comes from 'quasi-stellar radio source', because the first ones found in the 1950s and 60s looked like faint stars. Maarten Schmidt identified the redshift of quasar 3C 273 in 1963, showing quasars are very distant. The footage shows renderings of galaxies, accretion disks and black holes.

VideoWrite-up1 sources

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What should you know about Quasi-Stellar?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Quasars are luminous active galactic nuclei.

    DD-106-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Active nuclei)

  2. They're powered by supermassive black holes.

    DD-106-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Black holes)

Video transcript: Quasi-Stellar: Some of the Brightest Objects in the Universe Are Feeding Black Holes

Quasars are extremely luminous and energetic objects found at the centers of distant galaxies. DID YOU KNOW? The term quasars stands for Quasi-Stellar Radio Source, reflecting their star like appearance when observed through early telescopes. Despite their appearance, quasars are not stars but rather active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes. The intense energy emitted by quasars is generated as matter spirals into the black hole forming an accretion disk. This process releases tremendous amounts of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum making quasars some of the brightest and most distant objects observed in the universe. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 33.3s Reel ·

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Quasi-Stellar: Some of the Brightest Objects in the Universe Are Feeding Black Holes Instagram Reel · · 33.3s

The write-up

Some of the brightest objects in the universe are feeding black holes. Quasar is short for quasi-stellar radio source.

  1. Exhibit A

    Active nuclei

    Quasars are luminous active galactic nuclei.

  2. Exhibit B

    Black holes

    They're powered by supermassive black holes.

  3. Exhibit C

    Accretion disks

    Infalling gas in an accretion disk releases energy.

  4. Exhibit D

    The name

    'Quasar' comes from quasi-stellar radio source.

  5. Exhibit E

    3C 273

    Schmidt measured 3C 273's redshift in 1963.

Questions people ask about Quasi-Stellar

What powers a quasar?

Via its accretion disk.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Active nuclei) · Wikipedia: Quasar

Where are quasars found?

Active galactic nuclei.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Black holes) · Wikipedia: Quasar

What forms around the black hole?

Gas heats as it falls.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Accretion disks) · Wikipedia: Quasar

What does 'quasar' stand for?

They looked like stars.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (The name) · Wikipedia: Quasar

Which quasar's redshift was measured in 1963?

By Maarten Schmidt.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (3C 273) · Wikipedia: Quasar

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What powers a quasar?

    1. A supermassive black hole
    2. A neutron star
    3. A comet
    4. A planet
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A supermassive black hole Via its accretion disk. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Active nuclei) · Wikipedia: Quasar

  2. Where are quasars found?

    1. At galaxy centers
    2. In our solar system
    3. On the Moon
    4. In nebulae only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. At galaxy centers Active galactic nuclei. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Black holes) · Wikipedia: Quasar

  3. What forms around the black hole?

    1. An accretion disk
    2. A ring of ice
    3. A planet
    4. Nothing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. An accretion disk Gas heats as it falls. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Accretion disks) · Wikipedia: Quasar

  4. What does 'quasar' stand for?

    1. Quasi-stellar radio source
    2. Quantum star
    3. Quasi-solar array
    4. Quick star
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Quasi-stellar radio source They looked like stars. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (The name) · Wikipedia: Quasar

  5. Which quasar's redshift was measured in 1963?

    1. 3C 273
    2. M87
    3. Sirius
    4. Andromeda
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 3C 273 By Maarten Schmidt. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (3C 273) · Wikipedia: Quasar

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Quasi-Stellar." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-106, last updated Dec 4, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/quasi-stellar/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/quasi-stellar/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-106-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/quasi-stellar/#DD-106-F01

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