 |
| The Sun (Google image) |
I first learned about Quasars when I was watching Youtube videos by Vsauce (Michael Stevens). This channel comprises of videos that discuss various topics ranging from mind-blowing science facts to interesting internet controversies. Thus, I strongly recommend these videos for entertainment and educational purposes.
The Sun is most likely the first celestial body that comes to your mind when the word "bright" is mentioned. Remember that stinging sensation when you squint your eyes at the blinding Sun. Now, imagine yourself staring at an object a trillion times brighter and bigger than the Sun---A Quasar.
Quasars are first discovered in the 1960s and are named quasi-stellar radio sources. Their source of energy are believed to be generated by massive black holes that are located at the center of the galaxy containing the Quasar. In fact, the Quasar itself is believed to be "a supermassive black hole surrounded by an accretion disk, a flat, disk-like structure of gas" (Quasars- Astronomy For Kids). A Quasar may appear as a faint red star to us through the help of a telescope, this is due to its distance from Earth. Having such high luminosity, or brightness, a Quasar surpasses the brightness of other stars within the galaxy.
 |
| (A Quasar is depicted by an artist as a luminous black hole surrounded by a disk-like structure of gas) |
What's The Brightest Thing In the
Universe? Vsauce (Youtube)
Bibliography
I've always thought the sun was the brightest star. After reading this post I definitely learned something new and interesting! I really like the background and the quote at the top of the page! :) -Lauren
ReplyDelete