Archive · 23 May 2025
Quasar Radiation Halts Star Formation in Galaxy Collision
Imagine two galaxies crashing into each other, like space cars.
One car has a super-powerful engine, a quasar, blasting out energy from a giant black hole.
This energy acts like a giant spotlight, stopping the other galaxy from making new stars.
The scientists saw this happen a long time ago, when the universe was young, by looking at light that traveled for billions of years.
They used special telescopes to see how the powerful engine affected the other galaxy, revealing how these collisions shape galaxies.
Astronomers observed a galactic collision where one galaxy pierces another.
A quasar, powered by a black hole, emits radiation that halts star formation.
The radiation disrupts gas and dust clouds, preventing new star births.
The event occurred 11 billion years ago, providing insight into the early universe.
Researchers used ALMA and the VLT in Chile to study the galaxies.
- Who
- Astronomers
- What
- Observed a galaxy pierced by another and a quasar halting star formation.
- When
- Over 11 billion years ago, observed now.
- Where
- Distant galaxies, observed using telescopes in Chile.
- Why
- To understand how quasars influence galaxy evolution during collisions.
- Event
- Galactic collision and radiation impact
- Quasar Source
- Supermassive black hole
- Telescopes Used
- ALMA and VLT (Chile)
- Published In
- Nature
- Light Travel Time
- 11 billion years
