Produced by: Manoj Kumar
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope hit its 100,000th exposure, capturing a dazzling quasar 9 billion light-years away—cementing its legacy as a cosmic pioneer.
Astronomer Charles Steidel of Caltech uncovered a mysterious elliptical galaxy lurking in front of the quasar, identified by unique absorption lines in its light.
Unlike typical ellipticals, this one holds a gaseous halo with no visible stars, puzzling astronomers and hinting at unknown galactic processes far from Earth.
Credit : NASA
The quasar’s brilliant light, powered by a supermassive black hole, serves as a cosmic lighthouse, illuminating the hidden galaxy and space between them.
Credit : NASA
Though separated by 2 billion light-years, the quasar and elliptical galaxy align perfectly—offering a rare chance to study how quasar light pierces distant galactic matter.
Credit : NASA
Adding to the scene’s wonder, Hubble also captured a disturbed double spiral galaxy nearby, creating a rich tapestry of cosmic evolution in a single image.
Credit : NASA
Steidel’s analysis of absorbed wavelengths in the quasar’s light reveals chemical fingerprints of the foreground galaxy, offering a window into ancient cosmic material.
Credit : NASA
The quasar’s fierce glow—driven by a voracious black hole—makes it a powerful probe for studying intergalactic space and distant structures in Hubble’s deep gaze.
Credit : NASA
As NASA eyes future telescopes like James Webb, Hubble’s 100,000th image proves it remains an essential tool for unlocking the universe’s deepest secrets.