The Hubble Space Telescope has captured stunning images of the immediate space surrounding quasar 3C 273, a blindingly bright galaxy core in the early universe. The telescope’s advanced instrument allowed scientists to zoom in on the quasar, revealing unprecedented detail.
Astronomers at the Université Côte d’Azur observed mysterious “blobs” and an L-shaped object within 16,000 light-years of the central black hole. These findings suggest that some objects could be small orbiting galaxies on the verge of falling into the black hole.
The discovery has sparked excitement among scientists, who hope to better understand these enigmatic objects through future observations by the James Webb Space Telescope. The telescope’s infrared capabilities will allow for more precise identification and analysis.
Quasar 3C 273 is an extraordinary object, emitting light equivalent to 4 trillion suns or 100 times brighter than the Milky Way. Its existence provides a glimpse into the universe’s early days and has led to numerous studies on its evolution.
The researchers used a specialized instrument called a coronagraph to reveal the quasar’s surroundings. This technique allowed them to observe eight times closer than before, unveiling the blobs and L-shaped object in unprecedented detail. Further observations will help scientists unravel the mysteries surrounding these cosmic phenomena.
Source: https://mashable.com/article/nasa-hubble-quasar-black-hole-details-discovered