Scientists have discovered that the most luminous object in the universe, a quasar that is 500 times brighter than our sun, was actually visible all along, but went unnoticed until now.

Australian researchers observed a quasar that is fueled by the most rapidly expanding black hole ever identified. Its size is approximately 17 billion times that of the sun in our solar system, and it consumes the same amount of matter as an entire sun every day.

The light from the celestial body journeyed over 12 billion years to reach our planet.

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Researchers from the Australian National University discovered it using a 2.3-meter telescope at the university’s NSW Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran. The discovery was later verified using the 8-meter primary mirror of the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO’s) Very Large Telescope.

The ANU researchers, in partnership with the ESO, University of Melbourne, and Sorbonne Université in France, have published their discoveries in Nature Astronomy.

The primary writer and associate professor from ANU, Christian Wolf, claimed it to be the brightest known entity in the cosmos. He also noted its remarkable speed of development, resulting in a vast emission of light and heat. He believes that this record will remain unbeatable.

The source of light is the “accretion disc”, measuring seven light years in diameter. This disc is where material is pulled and rotates around the black hole, until it reaches the event horizon.

As the substance collides with other matter, it generates immense levels of light and heat.

Wolf described the phenomenon as a massive storm cell, highly magnetic and with scorching temperatures of 10,000 degrees Celsius. He also noted the presence of lightning and incredibly fast winds that could circle the Earth in just one second.

“This storm cell spans seven light years, which is 50% greater than the distance between our solar system and the neighboring star in the galaxy, Alpha Centauri.”

Dr. Christopher Onken, the co-author, expressed surprise that it went undetected for such a long time and noted that it was “hidden in plain sight.”

Wolf mentioned having two separate emotions regarding the finding.

The speaker expressed surprise and amazement at one aspect, envisioning a frightening location and harsh circumstances. They also noted the possibility of nature creating something even more extraordinary than previously imagined.

We stumbled upon a bit of playful delight – we finally found it! Mother Nature doesn’t make it simple, it’s more like “aha, there you are!”

• This article has been updated to accurately state that the primary mirror of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope is 8 metres, not 39m as previously published.

Source: theguardian.com