Astronomers confirm powerful radio galaxy from 12.5 billion years ago
Scientists have confirmed a powerful radio galaxy originating nearly 12.5 billion years ago is located at redshift 4.946.
Identification of distant source
The object known as TXS 2354+015 was first spotted because its optical light dropped significantly. Follow-up spectroscopy measurements placed the galaxy at a redshift of 4.946. Researchers posted their findings to the arXiv preprint server on September 23.
Nature of active nucleus
Material falling onto a central supermassive black hole creates an active galactic nucleus that launches relativistic jets. These jets carry energy capable of influencing star formation within the host galaxy. The specific source is classified as a radio-loud active galactic nucleus.
Visibility through dust
The central black hole and surrounding regions are hidden by a bubble of dusty gas. Only the radio jet escapes this obstruction to be seen directly by observers. Such powerful galaxies in the early universe often mark locations of massive galaxy clusters.
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