My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my
Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me
thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade
disasters.
Today’s
disaster is...
QUASAR
EXPLOSION
I've got a space disaster for you today!
Quasars are compact regions of luminous electromagnetic energy, including radio waves and visible light located in the centre of distant, young galaxies surrounding supermassive black holes. (Can you say that three times fast?)
In short terms, they are bright galaxy cores with a black hole in the middle. Their luminosity, which is created by material being sucked into the black hole, can be 100x greater than the Milky Way which has 200 – 400 billion stars.
Quasars are compact regions of luminous electromagnetic energy, including radio waves and visible light located in the centre of distant, young galaxies surrounding supermassive black holes. (Can you say that three times fast?)
In short terms, they are bright galaxy cores with a black hole in the middle. Their luminosity, which is created by material being sucked into the black hole, can be 100x greater than the Milky Way which has 200 – 400 billion stars.
FACT: In
2012, a quasar known as ‘SDSS J1106+1939’ emitted the greatest high energy explosion
ever observed. This blast was some 2 trillion times more energetic than the
sun!
Galaxies only act as quasars during the early stages of
their lives, which could last for billions of years. When a quasar dies, only
the black hole remains.
Although there is a supermassive black hole at the center
of the Milky Way, it is considered a middle-aged galaxy and the time for a
quasar to occur is probably long gone.
QUESTION: Who here is fascinated by space science?
*raises hand*
You have certainly done your homework Chrys. Excellent post and wonderful to read.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thank you, Yvonne!
DeleteI was wondering what you were going to do for Q!--well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melanie!
DeleteSo all the stars and any planets get destroyed when the quasar explodes? Woah.
ReplyDeleteIntense, huh?
DeleteI am fascinated by science (especially space;)
ReplyDeleteSo am I. :)
DeleteThat's a lot of quasars...
ReplyDeleteSince they are early formations of galaxies, does that mean there is a black hole at the center of ours?
I have no idea...that's something to look into.
Delete*Raises hand too* :) I love space science. I worked for British Aerospace Space Systems as an apprentice before and while I was at Uni - it was interesting, but far less cool than I had hoped ;).
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Working there does sound interesting. I wonder what you did...?
DeleteI think it is interesting with space science; a lot of it I don't understand, but it is interesting what is out there :)
ReplyDeletebetty
There so so much out there and that's what makes space science so fascinating. :)
DeleteI wonder what is on the other side of a black hole. Maybe more quasars? lol
ReplyDeleteQuite possibly.
DeleteInteresting video. I'm glad these things are so very far away from earth. It makes me curious as to how the scientists are finding them.
ReplyDeleteThey have very big telescopes. ;)
DeleteThe thing about space is that all that power and size is just incomprehensible. 2 trillion times more powerful than our own sun? I can't even conceive that.
ReplyDeleteI can't either. Isn't it marvelous?
DeleteOkay, this would be the SUCKIEST disaster to experience. End of all life, permanent vacuum... Nice finding though, on a Q disaster...
ReplyDeleteIt would be the suckiest disaster. Hopefully we don't have a black hole at the center of our young galaxy. Alex mentioned that and now I'm worried.
DeleteAwesome, beautiful and absolutely frightening all at once. Good material for speculative fiction writers. Hopefully it stays in their hands.
ReplyDeleteThose are the three most perfect words to describe this disaster, Stephanie. It would be neat to inspire speculative fiction writers with this post. :)
DeleteThat is cool. Space is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is. :)
DeleteI do love space sciences. Will watch any show that comes on. I was actually a member of an astronomical society for awhile, but unfortunately, I had no more time for it. :(
ReplyDeleteQuasar Scince? Yes.
Quantum Science? No.
Some things my brain won't retain. Wow, that rhymed that time.
Haha! My brain can't wrap itself around quantum science either.
DeleteYay for rhyming! I love it when that happens. :P
Very interesting! I know absolutely nothing about space science. I should probably learn more.
ReplyDeleteI've always found it fascinating. :)
DeleteI used to handle the communications and publicity for a planetarium and science centre. I definitely qualify!
ReplyDeleteAny idea what causes them to explode?
That sounds neat!
DeleteNo idea. Perhaps they suck in so much particles and energy that they explode from over-consumption? I'm guessing...
You don't want to be near one of those explosions, that's for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's for certain. :P
DeleteIt's amazing how much we know about these things when they happen so far away from us.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing. We have awesome technology and great minds that study this.
DeleteI'm still worried about the mudslides...and I live in a huge field.
ReplyDeleteI'd be worried about that too.
DeleteI love watching Star Trek and all of that stuff but that is where it lies. Oh well-I never realized until recently that i was not a space geek...I am a geek in many other areas or a freak, can take your pick..but not this:)
ReplyDeleteBeing a geek in other ways is great, though. :D
DeleteGood one! To paraphrase Jimmy Buffett, "I don't know where I'm gonna go when the Quasar blows..."
ReplyDeleteI feel silly asking who Jimmy Buffett is. The name isn't ringing any bells.
DeleteThose Quasars can cause a universe of trouble by creating Black Holes. Gives me the shakes just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteThey sure can.
DeleteI've long been fascinated by space, particularly the ultimate fate of the Universe. I'm filled with cold horror and sadness when I think about what might happen to Planet Earth when the Sun becomes a Red Giant, and also wonder what the night sky might look like if Earth survives and still holds human life when the Sun has turned into a little White Dwarf.
ReplyDeleteI hope the Sun doesn't become a Red Giant for a very long time and that Earth will continue go on for generations.
DeleteHand raised. Interesting. I taught fifth grade science and we discussed the universe a little, but didn't study black holes. They are fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBlack holes are fascinating. I've been interested in them since watching Contact. :)
DeleteQuasars are cool. I am most definitely interested in space science. My hand is raised!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so happy to find out so many of my blogger buddies like space science. :D
DeleteSpace science just boggles my mind, the distances and powers involved are phenominal, and quasars and black holes, they are stunning and awe inspiring things. :)
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
FB3X
Wittegen Press
It is mind-boggling and spectacular. I think that's why I like space science so much. :)
DeleteAt one time I wanted to be an astronomer.
ReplyDeleteSo did I! :D
DeleteGreat use of Q with your theme. I had heard of the term Quasar before but never knew what it meant. Now I have learned something which is always a good thing. I loved how you explained it in simple terms too as that is how I finally understood it.
ReplyDeleteSean at His and Her Hobbies
It took me a while to understand it so I could explain it in simple terms. ;P
DeleteI think space science is cool at the popular-science level. When I was a student, I took a couple of courses in astrophysics. It was a little bit disappointing and boring, so I rather specialized in quantum physics, which i more fun, I think >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
I wish my school offered astronomy and astrophysics. I would've enrolled in both! You understand quantum physics? Wow! I can't wrap my mind around that.
DeleteWow. This is truly mind boggling. I really can't imagine something this big, old, powerful and far away. Space is amazing and yes, I am fascinated by space science... just glad I don't live outside this planet! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteI think we can all be glad about that. ;)
DeleteThanks for the science lesson. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jeff! :)
DeleteOh no, not a dreaded SPACE DISASTER! Though I must say, of all the disasters you've chosen, I probably find this one the least terrifying (though still adequately concerning).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/
The least terrifying because it's unlikely to happen...but adequately concerning because who knows, right? ;)
DeleteOoh, this might be the coolest disaster that you've done. I'm definitely going to raise my hand.
ReplyDeleteYay for a cool disaster! :D
DeleteWow that is just plain beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? :)
DeleteThis is mind boggling! I always get overwhelmed when I think of space science but it's so fascinating. Loved the little video! Quasar---that's a new word for me. Thanks, Chrys!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the video, Lisa. Quasar was a new Q word for me too. :)
DeleteInteresting, thanks for the info Chrys
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Keren.
DeleteVery creative choice for Q, which is always a tough one!
ReplyDeleteIt was a toughy. I was glad when I ran across this one in my research.
DeleteNow you're talking! Who doesn;t love a good quasar? I know I do.
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled to make my leader happy with my Q post. ;)
DeleteInteresting stuff. I remember reading about this in astronomy. I loved that science class.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteNever heard of it. Wow! Looks awesome though
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it look spectacular?
DeleteVery nice and cool stuff, thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
DeleteWow, learnt about a new phenomena here. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was hoping this post would do. :) You're welcome!
DeleteAnything that involves astronomy makes my head hurt. I cannot wrap my head around the sheer size.
ReplyDeleteWith matter in the billions and an explosion force 2 TRILLION times greater than the sun is simply beyond my comprehension!!
That is hard to comprehend but amazing to think about. :)
DeleteHi Chrys .. I loved writing my Solar Eclipse post at the end of March - I put so much stuff in it .. but loved it all and the learning from it .. Quasars are extraordinary .. and the Sky is one big questionmark up there .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteLearning about space is so fun fun for me. It doesn't feel like research. :)
DeleteQuasars really are fascinating. Wouldn't want to be near one exploding.
ReplyDeleteNeither would I.
DeleteThis is great! I'm totally going to try and work a quasar explosion into my next book ;). I absolutely love finding out about space - it's one of my favourite subjects :)
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I'm thrilled to inspire you with this post. :)
DeleteWow! And, yikes...:-) Terrific post, Chrys!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diedre! :)
DeleteI love anything to do with space. Always been a huge interest for me for as long as I can remember.
ReplyDelete--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
2015 A to Z of Vampires
http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/
Same here. :D
DeleteI have never heard of these before. Truly interesting ! :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
Delete