3C 273

Definition

3C 273 is the name of the first quasar ever discovered. It is an extremely luminous and distant active galactic nucleus, located approximately 2.4 billion light-years from Earth. 3C 273 is considered a prototypical quasar and has been extensively studied to understand the nature and properties of these enigmatic celestial objects.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 3C 273 was the first quasar to be identified as a distinct extragalactic object, rather than a star-like object within our own galaxy.
2. The extremely high luminosity of 3C 273 is believed to be due to the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the center of its host galaxy.
3. Observations of 3C 273 have revealed that it is emitting a powerful jet of high-energy particles, which is a common feature of many quasars and active galactic nuclei.
4. The redshift of 3C 273 indicates that it is located at a distance of approximately 2.4 billion light-years from Earth, making it one of the most distant objects visible to the naked eye.
5. Studies of 3C 273 have provided valuable insights into the structure and evolution of quasars, as well as the role of supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of 3C 273 in the context of quasar discovery and study.
  • 3C 273 was the first quasar to be identified as a distinct extragalactic object, rather than a star-like object within our own galaxy. This discovery was a major breakthrough in the understanding of quasars, as it demonstrated that these extremely luminous objects were not located within the Milky Way but were instead incredibly distant active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes. The study of 3C 273 has provided valuable insights into the structure, evolution, and properties of quasars, which are now recognized as some of the most energetic and enigmatic objects in the universe.
• Describe the key features of 3C 273 that are characteristic of quasars and active galactic nuclei.
  • 3C 273 exhibits several features that are typical of quasars and active galactic nuclei. Firstly, it has an extremely high luminosity, which is believed to be due to the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the center of its host galaxy. Secondly, observations have revealed that 3C 273 is emitting a powerful jet of high-energy particles, a common feature of many quasars and active galactic nuclei. Additionally, the redshift of 3C 273 indicates that it is located at a distance of approximately 2.4 billion light-years from Earth, making it one of the most distant objects visible to the naked eye, which is another characteristic of these types of celestial objects.
• Analyze the role of 3C 273 in advancing our understanding of the structure and evolution of quasars and their relationship to supermassive black holes.
  • The discovery and extensive study of 3C 273 have played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the structure and evolution of quasars and their relationship to supermassive black holes. As the first quasar to be identified as a distinct extragalactic object, 3C 273 provided the foundation for further research into these enigmatic celestial objects. Observations of 3C 273's high luminosity, powerful jet, and its location at a distance of 2.4 billion light-years have confirmed that quasars are powered by the accretion of matter onto supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. Moreover, the insights gained from studying 3C 273 have helped shape our understanding of the role of supermassive black holes in the evolution and structure of galaxies, as well as the broader implications of these phenomena for the universe as a whole.

Related terms

Quasar: A quasar is an extremely luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN) powered by a supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy, accreting matter and emitting tremendous amounts of energy.

Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN): An active galactic nucleus is a compact region at the center of a galaxy that is much brighter than the rest of the galaxy, typically emitting vast amounts of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Supermassive Black Hole: A supermassive black hole is an extremely dense object with a mass that is millions to billions of times the mass of the Sun, typically found at the center of most galaxies, including our own Milky Way.