Iras 17163−3907

Introduction

Iras 17163−3907 is a radio source discovered in the early 21st century. It is an extremely powerful and distant Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) located approximately 3 billion light-years away from Earth.

Discovery and Characteristics

• Iras 17163−3907 was first detected by the Chandra X-ray Observatory in the year 2000.
• The source is classified as a blazar, which is a type of AGN characterized by high-energy jets that are highly polarized.
• The source is also known for its extreme variability, with some observations showing a change in flux over a period of just a few days.

Candidates and Follow-up Observations

Since its discovery, Iras 17163−3907 has been the subject of numerous follow-up observations using a variety of telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the Very Large Array (VLA).

Cosmological Implications

The detection of Iras 17163−3907 provides valuable insights into the evolution of supermassive black holes in distant galaxies.

History/Background

Despite extensive research, there is limited information available on the history and background of Iras 17163−3907. However, it is believed to be a relatively young AGN, with some studies suggesting that it may have been active for only a few million years.

Key Concepts

Iras 17163−3907 provides an excellent example of the complexities and intricacies involved in studying distant AGNs.

• The source's high luminosity is powered by the energy released from the accretion of material onto a supermassive black hole.
• The extreme variability of Iras 17163−3907 can be attributed to changes in the accretion rate and/or the presence of a dust torus.

Technical Details

Iras 17163−3907 has been extensively studied using a variety of telescopes, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the VLA.

• The source's luminosity is estimated to be around 10^46 ergs per second, making it one of the brightest AGNs in the universe.
• Observations using the Chandra X-ray Observatory have revealed the presence of a hot accretion disk with a temperature of approximately 2 x 10^8 K.

Applications/Uses

Iras 17163−3907 provides an excellent opportunity for scientists to study the physics and evolution of AGNs in the distant universe.

• The source's variability has been used to test models of accretion disk behavior and to constrain the properties of supermassive black holes.
• Studies of Iras 17163−3907 have also provided insights into the interplay between star formation and supermassive black hole growth in distant galaxies.

Impact/Significance

Iras 17163−3907 has significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of AGNs and their role in shaping the universe as we know it.

• The source's high luminosity provides a valuable probe into the growth and activity of supermassive black holes at early times.
• Studying Iras 17163−3907 has also allowed scientists to better understand the role of dust and gas in regulating accretion rates and jet production.

Related Topics

Iras 17163−3907 is connected to several other research topics, including:

• The study of AGN variability and its relation to the growth and activity of supermassive black holes.
• The evolution of galaxies and star formation in distant redshifts.