Astronomers Discover New Standard Candle

**RayTomes** · 09-30-2011, 05:44 AM

According to the article: "A way to measure the distance of active galactic nuclei could change the way astronomers think about the Universe and how it is expanding."
Astronomers Discover New Standard Candle - Technology Review

**grapes** · 09-30-2011, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by RayTomes

According to the article: "A way to measure the distance of active galactic nuclei could change the way astronomers think about the Universe and how it is expanding."
Astronomers Discover New Standard Candle - Technology Review

From the article:

An accurate way to determine their distance is sure to have profound implications.

Only if those measurements disagree with conclusions we've already made.

ETA: When I say "we", I'm not including myself.

**JFalz1024** · 09-30-2011, 11:29 AM

active galactic nuclei? I have not heard this before someone please elaborate.

**David E. Eaton Sr.** · 10-01-2011, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by grapes

ETA: When I say "we", I'm not including myself.

Now, now, Grapes let's not be modest....

**Larry Caldwell** · 10-01-2011, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by JFalz1024

active galactic nuclei? I have not heard this before someone please elaborate.

Big black holes at the center of galaxies sometimes consume lots of mass, emitting massive amounts of radiation. That's an active galactic nucleus. Black hole + infalling matter. This new measurement is really nifty because all that radiation ionizes huge gas clouds, that are visible a lot farther than supernovae and are not transient phenomena, which allows multiple measurements as instrumentation improves.

**David E. Eaton Sr.** · 10-02-2011, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by JFalz1024

active galactic nuclei? I have not heard this before someone please elaborate.

Active galactic nucleus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**JFalz1024** · 10-10-2011, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by David E. Eaton Sr.

Active galactic nucleus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I dont trust wikipedia. I'ld rather have a good conversation.

**JFalz1024** · 10-10-2011, 12:05 PM

Now that I know that though, the post is an interesting one Ray. Do you think it's feasible?

**grapes** · 10-10-2011, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by JFalz1024

I dont trust wikipedia. I'ld rather have a good conversation.

JOOC, why do you trust conversation?

ETA: An active galaxy nucleus is gregarious, i.e., meeting other galaxies, sometimes spectacularly

**JFalz1024** · 10-13-2011, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by grapes

JOOC, why do you trust conversation?

"I'ld rather be deceived then be on guard against deceivers." - Zarathustra.

What do you mean by meeting other galaxies? If I'm following, (which I believe I am)- the A.G.N. emits this radiation that travels far enough to ionize gas clouds in other galazies? If thats true thats awesome. It means they are communication, or having their own conversations. "I'm over here". "I'm this big".