Discovery
Researchers led by York University have detected a record-breaking ultraviolet outflow from quasar J2318, with speeds up to 30% of the speed of light.
This is the fastest ultraviolet quasar wind ever observed.
Key Details
A Supermassive Powerhouse
The quasar contains a black hole with a mass of 1.7 billion Suns.
Record-Breaking Speed
The outflow consists of gas moving toward Earth at approximately 30% of the speed of light.
A Cosmic Puzzle
The wind carries carbon and silicon ions. This is theoretically challenging because the intense radiation should strip these ions of electrons, making them invisible to our instruments.
How It Was Found
Observations were made using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and confirmed with the Gemini North telescope in Hawai'i.
Significance
- Quasar winds can regulate galaxy evolution by heating gas and disrupting star formation, acting as a powerful feedback mechanism.
- The study was published in The Astrophysical Journal.
- This finding provides crucial observational constraints for galaxy formation simulations, offering a real-world benchmark for theoretical models.