kvazary

Kvazary, also known as quasistellar radio sources, are extremely luminous active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. They are among the most luminous objects in the universe, emitting vast amounts of electromagnetic radiation across the entire spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.

The term "quasar" is a portmanteau of "quasi-stellar radio source" because they were initially identified as star-like objects in optical telescopes that also emitted strong radio waves. Their immense distances mean that we are observing them as they were billions of years ago, providing crucial insights into the early universe.

The intense luminosity of quasars is believed to be generated by the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole. As gas and dust fall towards the black hole, they form an accretion disk, which heats up due to friction and gravitational forces, releasing enormous amounts of energy. This process can also create powerful jets of plasma that are ejected perpendicular to the accretion disk.

Quasars play a significant role in the evolution of galaxies. Their energetic output can influence the surrounding interstellar medium, potentially regulating star formation within their host galaxies. Studying quasars has been instrumental in understanding the formation and growth of supermassive black holes and the co-evolution of galaxies.