Quasars are galaxies with very active and bright center objects, thought to be powered by black holes. They can shine with the brilliance of a trillion suns. N.M. Astronomers also heralded the first release of data from the survey Tuesday. The data consists of precision measurements of 14 million objects scattered throughout the universe. Included are more than 13,000 quasars, including 26 of the 30 most distant known.
Astronomers expect to release the full set of data over the next five years.
It will be the biggest flood of information in the history of astronomy. It's going to turn a great number of astronomical theories on their head and confirm others. Copyright 2001 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.