Released on - 4/27/2010 11:05:10 AM
It seems as if a new and bright but very strange object has appeared in our galaxy, its "discovery" was announced only recently. Our neighbour, the galaxy M82, houses this USO (Unidentified Shining Object).
In 2009, the new object suddenly started emitting radio waves. Based on this, astronomers have calculated that it is at least 10 million light years away from us. In other words, if we sent out a beam of light from Earth right now, it would take 10 million years to hit the USO.
The USO is Not a "Micro-Quasar"
A quasar is the brightest object in the universe and is also one of the longest lasting. A smaller quasar is known as a "micro-quasar" and that is what this new mysterious object appeared to be, at first glance.
Quasars contain large black holes and they shine so brightly that they can be seen even ten billion light years away. Quasars also lie in the heart of a galaxy and are usually relatively small, no more than 1 or 2 light years in size. This USO is at least a hundred light years away from the heart of the M82 galaxy which means it is not a quasar at all.
The USO is not even a "micro-quasar" since it shines 10 times brighter than a "micro-quasar", which is highly unusual.
And The USO is Not a Super Nova, For Sure
This shiny new object has left our brightest minds completely confused and puzzled. You see, M82 has been classified as a "starburst galaxy" because it creates new stars at a rapid pace. As a result, there are constant explosions since some of these new stars burst and create supernovas. Initially, the new "micro-quasar" was considered to be one such supernova. But such star bursts reduce in brightness over a period of months, which the new "micro-quasar" has failed to do.
In fact, the feature that has kept the scientists completely baffled is the brightness of the new "micro-quasar". Its brightness has not diminished over a period of a whole year. So it is definitely not a supernova or a temporary star burst. In fact, its brightness has gradually increased ever so slightly and that has left everybody scratching their heads in complete and utter confusion.
In 2009, the new object suddenly started emitting radio waves. Based on this, astronomers have calculated that it is at least 10 million light years away from us. In other words, if we sent out a beam of light from Earth right now, it would take 10 million years to hit the USO.
The USO is Not a "Micro-Quasar"
A quasar is the brightest object in the universe and is also one of the longest lasting. A smaller quasar is known as a "micro-quasar" and that is what this new mysterious object appeared to be, at first glance.
Quasars contain large black holes and they shine so brightly that they can be seen even ten billion light years away. Quasars also lie in the heart of a galaxy and are usually relatively small, no more than 1 or 2 light years in size. This USO is at least a hundred light years away from the heart of the M82 galaxy which means it is not a quasar at all.
The USO is not even a "micro-quasar" since it shines 10 times brighter than a "micro-quasar", which is highly unusual.
And The USO is Not a Super Nova, For Sure
This shiny new object has left our brightest minds completely confused and puzzled. You see, M82 has been classified as a "starburst galaxy" because it creates new stars at a rapid pace. As a result, there are constant explosions since some of these new stars burst and create supernovas. Initially, the new "micro-quasar" was considered to be one such supernova. But such star bursts reduce in brightness over a period of months, which the new "micro-quasar" has failed to do.
In fact, the feature that has kept the scientists completely baffled is the brightness of the new "micro-quasar". Its brightness has not diminished over a period of a whole year. So it is definitely not a supernova or a temporary star burst. In fact, its brightness has gradually increased ever so slightly and that has left everybody scratching their heads in complete and utter confusion.
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