PBS Space Time Season 2019 Episode 19 The Quasar from the Beginning of Time - STELLAR

PBS Space Time is back with yet another episode in its 2019 season, episode 19. This episode is titled “The Quasar from the Beginning of Time - STELLAR” and it is all about the mysterious quasar, the brightest and most energetic objects in the universe.

The episode kicks off by taking us back in time, all the way to the very beginning of the universe where everything was just a hot, dense mess. At this time, the universe was full of hydrogen and helium gas, and there were no stars or galaxies to be seen. However, as the universe continued to expand and cool, the gas started to clump together, eventually resulting in the formation of the first stars.

The formation of these first stars was a game-changer for the universe, as they played a crucial role in the formation of everything else we see today. As the stars were born and started to shine, they released a ton of energy and light, which helped to ionize the gas surrounding them. This ionization process allowed the gas to become more transparent, paving the way for the first galaxies to form.

But what about quasars? Well, as it turns out, quasars were born during this same period of time, around 800 million years after the Big Bang. Quasars are essentially giant black holes that are gobbling up a ton of material, and as this material falls towards the black hole, it heats up and emits a tremendous amount of energy. This results in the quasar being the brightest object in the universe, even outshining entire galaxies.

In this episode, the host takes a closer look at the quasar that is believed to be the oldest in the universe, located around 13 billion years away from us. This particular quasar is incredibly important because it allows us to study what the universe looked like when it was very young, and how it evolved over time.

So how do scientists study something that is so far away from us? Well, they start by looking at the light emitted by the quasar. This light travels through the universe and carries a lot of information with it, such as the chemical composition of the gas surrounding the quasar, its distance away from us, and even the state of the universe at the time the light was emitted.

To study this particular quasar, scientists used a technique called gravitational lensing. This occurs when the light from a distant object passes by a massive object, like a galaxy cluster, on its way to us. The gravity of the massive object bends the path of the light, causing it to be magnified and making it easier for us to observe.

Using this technique, scientists were able to study the light emitted by the quasar and determine that it is indeed the oldest quasar in the universe, having formed just 690 million years after the Big Bang. They were also able to learn more about the quasar's surroundings, including the fact that it is surrounded by a large amount of cool, dense gas that is likely to be the fuel for its growth.

Overall, this episode of PBS Space Time provides a fascinating look at the universe's early days, and how quasars played a crucial role in its evolution. The quasar from the beginning of time is an incredible discovery that has allowed us to peel back the layers of the universe's history and learn more about its origins. Whether you're a seasoned astrophysicist or just a casual space enthusiast, this episode is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation of the complexity and beauty of the universe.