False-colour radio image of active galaxy 3C 279, a \blazar\". Blazars are galaxies whose energy output increases massively over a period of a few mon

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False-colour radio image of active galaxy 3C 279, a \blazar\". Blazars are galaxies whose energy output increases massively over a period of a few months. It is thought that this increased energy output is due to a star near the centre of the galaxy being sucked into the black hole at the galaxy's core. 3C 279's energy output increased 17 times in the 8-month period up to March 1988. The image was recorded at the wavelength of 18cm by the MERLIN radio telescope array based at Jodrell Bank, England."

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Size: 4400px × 3229px
Photo credit: © JODRELL BANK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 279, 3c, active, astronomy, black, blazar, cosmology, false-coloured, galactic, galaxy, hole, radio, science