The Most Distant Quasar Ever Discovered

Synopsis

Astronomers at the European Southern Observatory have identified the most distant quasar ever recorded, a luminous entity powered by a supermassive black hole with a mass two billion times that of the Sun. This quasar, designated as ULAS J1120+0641, represents the brightest object observed in the early Universe, dating back to approximately 13 billion years ago. The findings enhance understanding of the conditions present during the formation of the first stars and galaxies, offering critical insights into the evolution of the cosmos.