Researchers discover brightest known object in the universe
The Guardian|February 21, 2024
The brightest known object in the universe, a quasar 500tn times brighter than our sun, was "hiding in plain sight", researchers have said.
Tory Shepherd
Researchers discover brightest known object in the universe

Australian scientists said the quasar is powered by the fastest growing black hole ever discovered. Its mass is about 17bn times that of our solar system's sun, and it devours the equivalent of a sun a day.

The light from the celestial object has travelled for more than 12bn years to reach Earth.

Australian National University scientists first detected it by using a 2.3-metre telescope at the university's NSW Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran. They then confirmed the find using the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope, which has a primary mirror of 8 metres.

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