Astronomers have captured a rare direct glimpse into the effects of quasars on galaxies, spotting a high-speed collision between two galaxies over 11 billion light-years away. The galaxy on the right hosts an actively feeding black hole and quasar at its center, while the left galaxy is being bombarded by intense radiation from the quasar.
Researchers observed the companion galaxy moving toward the quasar-hosting galaxy at about 1.2 million miles per hour, indicating a high-speed collision. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and X-shooter instrument on the Very Large Telescope, scientists found that the quasar’s radiation blasts apart the gas in the companion galaxy, disrupting its ability to form new stars.
The gravitational forces at play are pulling more gas toward the black hole, allowing it to continue feeding and powering the quasar. These mergers are thought to bring huge amounts of gas to supermassive black holes residing in galaxy centers.
This discovery provides new insights into how quasars shape their surroundings and influence galaxy evolution. The study, published in Nature, marks a significant advancement in understanding the complex interactions between galaxies and their environments.
Source: https://www.space.com/astronomy/galaxies/scientists-spot-high-speed-galaxy-collision-11-billion-light-years-away-we-hence-call-this-system-the-cosmic-joust