In astronomical terms, what does a quasar represent?

A quasar represents a distant galaxy that contains an active supermassive black hole at its center. These extraordinary astronomical objects are among the brightest and most energetic in the universe. The enormous gravitational pull of the black hole draws in surrounding material, which accelerates and heats up, emitting tremendous amounts of radiation across various wavelengths, including radio waves, visible light, and X-rays. This intense radiation is what makes quasars visible from great distances, allowing astronomers to observe them even billions of light-years away.

The significant distance of quasars provides valuable insight into the early universe and galaxy formation, as they are often found in regions that existed shortly after the Big Bang. Their brightness and energy output make them key objects of study in understanding the dynamics of galaxies and the behavior of black holes.