Quasars & Redshifts: Measuring Redshifts & Jet Formation

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In summary, the luminosity of a Quasar is thought to be caused by particle jets emitted from its poles. Some theories, such as those of Fred Hoyle and Halton Arp, suggest that the redshift observed in Quasars could be explained by gravitational time dilation near the "surface" of a black hole. It is possible to measure the redshift of the surrounding galaxy where a Quasar is visible, and there are theories about the formation of these jets that may provide an answer to this question.
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Mike Holland
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A Quasar's luminosity is believed to be due to particle jets streaming from it, presumably on the direction of its poles. Reading some of Fred Hoyle's theories (and Halton Arp's) on redshifts, I wondered whether the jets could be forming so close to the "surface" of a black hole that gravitational time dilation would account for a large fraction of the observed redshift.
Has it been possible to measure the redshift of the surrounding galaxy where one is visible? And is there a viable theory about the formation of these jets that could answer this question?
 
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1. What is a quasar?

A quasar is a highly luminous, distant astronomical object that emits large amounts of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum. It is thought to be powered by a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy.

2. How are redshifts used to measure the distance of quasars?

Redshift is a phenomenon where the light from an object appears to be shifted towards the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum, indicating that the object is moving away from us. By measuring the degree of redshift in the light from a quasar, scientists can determine how far away it is from Earth.

3. What is the connection between redshift and the expansion of the universe?

The redshift observed in the light from quasars is caused by the expansion of the universe. As the universe expands, the space between objects also expands, causing the light emitted from them to stretch and appear more redshifted.

4. How do jets form in quasars?

Jets in quasars are formed by the intense magnetic fields surrounding the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. These jets shoot out highly charged particles at nearly the speed of light, producing the bright emission seen in quasars.

5. Why are quasars important for studying the early universe?

Quasars are some of the most distant objects in the universe, allowing scientists to study them as they were billions of years ago. By observing quasars, we can gain insight into the early stages of galaxy formation and the evolution of the universe.

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