Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A groundbreaking discovery has unveiled the brightest quasar ever observed, powered by a black hole that consumes the equivalent of a sun a day, marking a significant milestone in astronomical exploration.
Designated as J0529-4351, this newly discovered quasar shines as the brightest astronomical object ever witnessed, captivating astronomers worldwide with its unparalleled luminosity.
At the heart of J0529-4351 lies a supermassive black hole, estimated to weigh between 17 billion and 19 billion times the mass of our sun, demonstrating an insatiable appetite by devouring over one solar mass daily.
Situated an astonishing 12 billion light-years away from Earth, the light from J0529-4351 offers a glimpse into the universe's infancy, dating back to when the cosmos was a mere 2 billion years old.
Initially discovered over four decades ago, J0529-4351's brilliance eluded astronomers, masquerading as a star due to its extraordinary brightness, until recent advancements in observational techniques unveiled its true identity.
Quasars, located at the cores of galaxies, harbour supermassive black holes surrounded by accretion disks, generating immense luminosity as they consume matter at staggering rates, surpassing the radiance of entire galaxies.
Despite the abundance of quasars, J0529-4351 stands out for its exceptional brightness, emanating from a massive accretion disk spanning approximately 7 light-years, challenging conventional astronomical models.
Astronomers are poised to delve deeper into the mysteries of J0529-4351, employing advanced instruments such as the GRAVITY + instrument at the Very Large Telescope and the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope, promising further insights into this cosmic phenomenon.