Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

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.

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.

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.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

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.

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.

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.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Astronomers discover 83 supermassive black holes in the early universe

Researchers have discovered 83 supermassive black holes powering quasars 13 billion years ago, shedding light on their formation and evolution. This finding increases the number of known black holes at that epoch and provides new insights into their impact on the early universe's gas state.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Quasars may answer how starburst galaxies were extinguished

Astronomers at the University of Iowa suggest quasars could be responsible for the extinction of dusty starburst galaxies. The study found four galaxies with visible quasars, which could indicate that every dusty starburst galaxy hosts a quasar.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Discovered: Fast-growing galaxies from early universe

A team of astronomers discovered a new kind of galaxy that formed less than a billion years after the Big Bang, creating stars more than 100 times faster than our Milky Way. This find solves a long-standing puzzle of how massive galaxies came to have hundreds of billions of stars when they formed so quickly.

Ripples in the cosmic web

A team of astronomers has made the first measurements of small-scale ripples in primeval hydrogen gas, using rare double quasars. The results provide important clues about the temperature of gas in the cosmic web just a few billion years after the Big Bang.

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.

Gravitational wave kicks monster black hole out of galactic core

Astronomers discovered a supermassive black hole weighing over 1 billion suns that was propelled out of the center of a distant galaxy due to gravitational wave energy. The estimated equivalent energy is 100 million supernovas, and the black hole travels at speeds of up to 4.7 million miles per hour.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Vast luminous nebula poses a cosmic mystery

Astronomers have found a massive, luminous nebula at the heart of a 'rotocluster' of early galaxies, which appears to be part of the cosmic web connecting galaxies. The newly discovered nebula, MAMMOTH-1, is thought to be powered by a hidden active galactic nucleus (AGN) that is strongly obscured by dust.

How fast is the universe expanding? Quasars provide an answer

The H0LiCOW collaboration has made a new measurement of the Hubble constant using quasars and gravitational lensing. The result agrees with recent independent studies but disagrees significantly with cosmic microwave background measurements, potentially indicating new physics beyond the standard cosmological model.