quasar
Definition
- Noun:
- A starlike celestial object: A quasar is an extremely luminous and distant active galactic nucleus. It appears star-like ("quasi-stellar") in optical telescopes but emits enormous amounts of energy across various wavelengths, including radio waves.
- Characterized by large red shifts: The observed large red shift of a quasar's light indicates it is moving away from Earth at very high speed, placing it at a great distance, and thus providing a view into the early universe.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Astronomers discovered a new quasar with a record-breaking red shift.
- The immense energy output of a quasar is thought to be powered by a supermassive black hole at its center.
Advanced Usage
- "Quasar science": The field of astronomy dedicated to studying these objects.
- His research focuses on quasar science and early galaxy formation.
Variants and Related Words
- Quasi-stellar object (QSO) (n): Another term for a quasar, especially for those with weak radio emission.
- Some astronomers use the term QSO to describe radio-quiet quasars.
Synonyms
- QSO (Quasi-Stellar Object): A direct synonym.
- Blazar: A related type of active galactic nucleus with a jet pointed almost directly at Earth.
- Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN): The broader category of energetic galactic cores, which includes quasars.
Related Phrases
- "Quasar host galaxy": The galaxy within which a quasar resides.
- The Hubble telescope helped image the faint quasar host galaxy.
Noun
-
a starlike object that may send out radio waves and other forms of energy; many have large red shifts
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