A-Z Blogging Challenge: Q is for… Quasars

Posted July 13, 2015

Quasars

Quasars are defined as ‘an astronomical entity that emits incredibly high levels of electromagnetic radiation (including light). The amount of energy emitted by a quasar dwarfs even the brightest stars,’ (About.com)

Believed to have formed when matter drawn into a super-sized blackhole is thrown back out creating superextreme beams of energy. Quasars have a short lifespan. According to About there are approximately 60,000 known quasars and if it points to Earth, it is known as a Blazar.

quasar

It’s certainly an amazing sight, with the closest one being a mere 780 million light-years away.

Quasars in science fiction

I’m not sure there are any (although I am sure there must be, but I couldn’t find any to talk about). Oridinary, average, run-of-the-mill blackholes are quite common though, but it would be cheating to discuss them when the focus of this blog is quasars.

(Another post I need to revisit when I’ve done a little more research into it)


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