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Hubble sheds light on origins of supermassive black holes

Astronomers have identified a rapidly growing black hole in the early universe, GNz7q, which is considered a crucial 'missing link' between young star-forming galaxies and the first supermassive black holes. The team used Hubble data to determine that GNz7q existed just 750 million years after the big bang, with properties consistent w...

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Colossal black holes locked in dance at heart of galaxy

Researchers have found evidence for two supermassive black holes orbiting each other every two years, with masses hundreds of millions times larger than our sun. The quasar's radio-light brightness exhibits sinusoidal variations due to the pair's motion, providing a nearly perfect light curve.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateFeb 23, 2022

Cracking a mystery of massive black holes and quasars with supercomputer simulations

Researchers used high-powered simulations to study the mysterious process of gas flow across the universe, feeding massive black holes. The new method shows that strong gravitational forces from stars can twist and destabilize gas, driving sufficient influx to power a luminous quasar at galaxy activity peaks.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Seeing quadruple

The discovery of 12 quadruply imaged quasars using machine-learning techniques will help determine the expansion rate of the universe and address mysteries like dark matter. Quasars are extremely luminous cores powered by supermassive black holes, providing a way to probe the intermediate range of the universe.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateApr 8, 2021

Black hole pairs found in distant merging galaxies

Two close quasar pairs are found in distant merging galaxies, separated by just over 10,000 light-years. This discovery provides crucial insight into the existence of supermassive black hole pairs and galaxy mergers in the early Universe.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 6, 2021

Hubble spots double quasars in merging galaxies

The discovery of four double quasars offers insights into galaxy formation and the evolution of supermassive black holes. Quasars are brilliant beacons that can outshine entire galaxies, and their proximity in merging galaxies provides a unique window into the early universe.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 6, 2021
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Most distant cosmic jet providing clues about early universe

Astronomers have found the most distant cosmic jet, providing insights into how galaxies evolved and supermassive black holes grew when the universe was only 780 million years old. The quasar, with a massive black hole 300 million times more massive than the Sun, has a jet of fast-moving particles about 1,000 years old.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateMar 8, 2021

USTC detects a sharp rise in detection rate of broad absorption line variations

Researchers from USTC detected a 'sharp rise' signature in detection rate of BAL variations, leading to ionized gas density determination. They found the detection rate curve could distinguish gaseous components with different densities, optimizing their method measuring gas density by trec.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 3, 2021

A most distant signal

A team of scientists has discovered the most distant quasar ever observed, J0313-1806, which is also the earliest known quasar in the universe. The quasar is powered by a supermassive black hole weighing over 1.6 billion times the mass of the Sun.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 15, 2021

Most distant quasar discovered sheds light on how black holes grow

Astronomers have observed a luminous quasar 13.03 billion light-years from Earth, providing insight into the formation of massive galaxies in the early universe. The quasar hosts a supermassive black hole equivalent to 1.6 billion suns and shows evidence of an outflowing wind, challenging current models of black hole formation.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 12, 2021
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The earliest supermassive black hole and quasar in the universe

The most distant quasar known has been discovered, powered by the earliest known supermassive black hole weighing over 1.6 billion times the mass of the Sun. This fully formed distant quasar is also the earliest yet discovered, providing insight into massive galaxy formation in the early Universe.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·DateJan 12, 2021

The earliest supermassive black hole and quasar in the universe

Astronomers have identified the most distant quasar known, powered by a supermassive black hole weighing over 1.6 billion times the mass of the Sun. The discovery provides insight into the formation of massive galaxies in the early universe and challenges theories of black hole growth.

SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 12, 2021

Quasar discovery sets new distance record

Astronomers have discovered the most distant quasar yet found, J0313-1806, which is 13 billion light-years away and powered by a supermassive black hole. The discovery provides valuable insights into how massive galaxies and their supermassive black holes formed in the early Universe.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateJan 12, 2021

Astronomical instrument hunts for ancient metal

Researchers have developed a new instrument that can analyze the chemical signatures of distant quasars, providing insight into the origins of metals like iron. By studying these ancient galactic cores, scientists hope to refine their understanding of the early universe and its role in forming the elements necessary for life.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateNov 30, 2020

Spinning black hole powers jet by magnetic flux

A massive spinning black hole powers a plasma jet through magnetic reconnection, releasing energy in 'mini-jets' that produce high-energy gamma radiation. This phenomenon explains how the energy reaches the jet's core from the black hole and ultimately originates from its rotation.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 21, 2020
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NASA's Webb to study quasars and their host galaxies in three dimensions

The Q3D team will study three bright quasars to measure the activity that comes from accreting material onto supermassive black holes, revealing how it affects host galaxies. The study aims to understand the relationship between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies by analyzing gas motions in nearby and distant galaxies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 19, 2020

Strange gamma-ray heartbeat puzzles scientists

Scientists have detected a mysterious gamma-ray heartbeat from a cosmic gas cloud in the constellation Aquila, powered by a neighbouring precessing black hole. The research team analysed over ten years of data from NASA's Fermi gamma-ray space telescope, revealing a consistent period between the cloud's emission and the black hole's jets.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 17, 2020

Beacon from the early universe

The discovery of Po?niua??ena, the second-most distant quasar, sheds light on the formation of massive black holes and galaxies in the young universe. The quasar's existence challenges current theories, requiring a new mechanism to explain its massive size formed so early in the universe's history.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 26, 2020

Most massive quasar known in early universe discovered on Maunakea

Astronomers have discovered the second-most distant quasar, Pōniuā`ena, powered by a supermassive black hole 1.5 billion times more massive than our Sun. The discovery challenges current theories of how these massive black holes formed and grew in the young universe.

SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 25, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Monster black hole found in the early universe

Astronomers have discovered the second most distant quasar, Pōniuāʻena, containing a monster black hole twice the mass of other quasars at the same epoch. The discovery presents significant challenges to current theories on supermassive black hole formation and growth in the early universe.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·DateJun 25, 2020

Cosmic quasars embrace 1970s fashion trend

A team of researchers has discovered that quasar jets change from parabolic to conical shapes at a distance from the black hole, similar to flared jeans. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of narrow cone-shaped jets and provides new insights into black hole acceleration.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 8, 2020

New test of dark energy and expansion from cosmic structures

A new study has provided precise tests of dark energy and cosmic expansion by analyzing the distribution of galaxies in the Universe. The research uses a combination of cosmic voids and baryon acoustic oscillations, yielding more accurate results than previous methods.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 3, 2020

New findings suggest laws of nature not as constant as previously thought

Scientists from UNSW Sydney report new measurements of light emitted from a quasar 13 billion light years away, reaffirming past studies on tiny variations in the fine structure constant. The findings suggest that one of nature's laws may not be constant, challenging the Grand Unifying Theory.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 27, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Nahum Arav part of team to discover quasar tsunamis

A team of astronomers led by Nahum Arav has discovered the most energetic outflows ever witnessed in the universe, which tear across interstellar space like cosmic tsunamis. These quasar outflows accelerate material to breathtaking velocities, carrying hundreds of solar masses of material each year and pushing galaxies' formation forward.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateMar 19, 2020

Astrophysicists wear 3D glasses to watch quasars

Researchers combined data from radio and optical telescopes to determine the origins and nature of quasar light. By measuring the polarization, they can tell which part of radiation came from the jet and determine its direction.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 13, 2020

Space dragons: Researchers observe energy consumption in quasars

A team of researchers has observed the rapid fuel consumption of eight quasars, revealing the role of strong gravity in feeding massive black holes. The study's findings provide new insights into the behavior of supermassive black holes at the center of quasars.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature·DateSep 4, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Astronomers reveal true colors of evolving galactic beasts

Researchers at Durham University have spotted a brief transition phase in the development of quasars, challenging conventional views on red quasar color. The team believes this phase is caused by a violent ejection of energy from supermassive black holes, blowing away dust and gas to reveal blue quasars.

SourceDurham University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 7, 2019

Astronomers find quasars are not nailed to the sky

Researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology found that quasars' positions fluctuate due to complex radiation effects, contradicting their long-held assumption of stability. The study's findings could improve astrometry techniques for accurate navigation systems.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 24, 2019

Astronomers discover 83 supermassive black holes in the early universe

A team of astronomers has discovered 83 quasars powered by supermassive black holes in the early Universe, increasing the number of known black holes at that epoch. The survey reveals the average spacing between supermassive black holes is a billion light-years, providing insights into their origin.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 13, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Seeing double could help resolve dispute about how fast the universe is expanding

A team of UCLA astronomers has developed a new method to measure the universe's expansion rate, using double-image quasars to produce an estimate of the Hubble constant. The study's findings suggest that the universe is expanding at a speed of about 72.5 kilometers per second per megaparsec.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 22, 2019

Cosmic telescope zooms in on the beginning of time

Astronomers have detected a distant quasar from the early universe using Gemini Observatory, which provides critical insights into the formation of galaxies. The quasar is fueled by a supermassive black hole at its center, with mass 700 million times that of our Sun.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 9, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Astronomers uncover the brightest quasar in the early universe

Researchers have discovered a bright quasar at a time when the universe was less than one billion years old, providing a rare opportunity to study black holes in the early universe. The quasar is fueled by a supermassive black hole and emits light equivalent to 600 trillion suns.

SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 9, 2019

Mergers drive a powerful dusty quasar

Astronomers found a dust-obscured quasar formed from a galaxy merger, revealing how mergers can power quasars and obscure them with dust. The study used ALMA to analyze the quasar WISE J224607.57?052635.0 and its companion galaxies.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 15, 2018

Newly detected microquasar gamma-rays 'call for new ideas'

A team of scientists has detected highly energetic radiation from a microquasar, shedding light on extreme particle acceleration and jet physics. The findings improve our understanding of particle acceleration in jets of microquasars, offering insights into more extreme events at the centers of distant galaxies.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateOct 4, 2018
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Mountaintop observatory sees gamma rays from exotic Milky Way object

Scientists have detected gamma rays coming from the outermost regions of SS 433, a black hole system in our galaxy. The High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Gamma-Ray Observatory (HAWC) has observed these high-energy signals, which suggest electron acceleration and collisions at the ends of microquasar jets produced them.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2018

Scientists discover new nursery for superpowered photons

Researchers have found a new source of high-energy photons in the cosmos: a microquasar located in our galaxy. The gamma rays emitted by this system are among the most energetic ever observed and were detected using the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Gamma-Ray Observatory.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

A new frame for the sky

The International Astronomical Union has adopted the new ICRF-3 reference frame with global validity since January 2019. It provides improved precision for positioning systems like GPS and space probes, enabling accurate navigation in the sky and on Earth's surface.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·DateSep 13, 2018

Light from ancient quasars helps confirm quantum entanglement

Researchers used light from distant quasars to determine measurements on pairs of entangled photons, finding correlations that exceeded Bell's original limit for a classically based mechanism. This strengthens the case for quantum entanglement and restricts options for the freedom-of-choice loophole.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 20, 2018

Sprawling galaxy cluster found hiding in plain sight

The discovery reveals hundreds of individual galaxies in the cluster, which surrounds an extremely active supermassive black hole at the center. The quasar's light has obscured these galaxies, making them invisible to astronomers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateAug 16, 2018

Distant quasar providing clues to early-universe conditions

Scientists used the Very Long Baseline Array to capture a quasar nearly 13 billion light-years away, revealing details about its composition and potential jet expansion. The bright object is thought to be one of the brightest radio emitters at an early age, offering insights into the first galaxies in the universe.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateJul 9, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Plasma-spewing quasar shines light on universe's youth, early galaxy formation

Astronomers have found a quasar with the brightest radio emission ever observed in the early universe, providing unprecedented insight into the universe's youth. The discovery allows researchers to study the early galaxy formation process, which is crucial for understanding the evolution of the cosmos.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJul 9, 2018

Researchers find last of universe's missing ordinary matter

A team of researchers has discovered the last reservoir of ordinary matter hiding in the universe, located in the space between galaxies. The finding is significant as it fills in the gap of about 30% of missing baryons predicted by theorists.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2018

Lightening up dark galaxies

A team of astronomers has identified at least six strong candidates for dark galaxies by leveraging the ultraviolet light from quasars to 'illuminate' gas in the intergalactic medium. The discovery could help fill a gap in our understanding of galaxy evolution, as it provides direct evidence for the existence of dark galaxies.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·DateMay 23, 2018
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Double or nothing: Astronomers rethink quasar environment

Researchers have identified nearly 200 regions of galaxies gathering together to form protoclusters in the early Universe 12 billion years ago. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that quasars are created by galaxy mergers, suggesting alternative mechanisms for quasar activity.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateMar 13, 2018

New chapter begins for Kitt Peak telescope

The Mayall telescope is undergoing a major overhaul to install the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which will measure the spectra of 5000 astronomical objects simultaneously. The instrument will allow DESI to map out about one-third of the sky and survey 30 million galaxies and quasars over a five-year period.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·DateFeb 12, 2018

Black hole spin cranks-up radio volume

Statistical analysis suggests that supermassive black hole spin plays a role in generating high-speed jets and powerful radio waves. Nearly 8000 quasars were analyzed, with O III oxygen emissions found to be stronger in radio loud quasars, implying spin's importance.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateJan 12, 2018

Supermassive black hole is ahead of its time

Astronomers have detected an extremely distant supermassive black hole with a mass 800 million times that of our Sun, pushing the boundaries of understanding the early cosmos. The discovery, based on data from Gemini Observatory, reveals the universe was only 5% of its current age at this distance.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2017
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Found: The most distant supermassive black hole ever observed

A team of astronomers discovered the most-distant supermassive black hole ever observed, located in a luminous quasar and emitting light from 5% of its current age. The black hole has a mass 800 million times that of our Sun, posing a challenge to theories of supermassive black hole growth.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2017

Scientists observe supermassive black hole in infant universe

A team of astronomers has detected the most distant supermassive black hole ever observed, measuring around 800 million times the mass of our sun. The black hole's extreme size is puzzling, as the universe was not old enough to create such a massive object just 690 million years after the Big Bang.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2017

Scientists use mismatch in telescopic data to get a handle on quasars and their 'tails'

Researchers have gained a better understanding of the structure of hot jets and accretion disks surrounding black holes at the center of galaxies. They compared data from radio interferometry and Gaia space observatory, discovering discrepancies in object positions that revealed bright jets emitting visible light in many quasars.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 12, 2017
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Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.