Record-Breaker: Catching Gamma Rays from the Distant Quasar OP 313

In this episode, we dive into a groundbreaking astronomical discovery: the detection of very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays from the quasar OP 313. Located at a redshift of $z = 0.997$, OP 313 has shattered records to become the most distant Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) ever observed in this extreme energy range.

We explore the massive flare event from December 2023 that made this detection possible. During this outburst, OP 313 shone roughly 50 times brighter than its average high-energy state, triggering an intense multi-wavelength observation campaign. We also discuss the cutting-edge technology behind the discovery, notably the Large-Sized Telescope prototype (LST-1) and the MAGIC telescopes located in the Canary Islands.

Tune in to learn how astronomers use the light from this incredibly distant blazar to measure the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL)—the cumulative "fog" of radiation from all stars and galaxies throughout the history of the universe—and how they map the extreme physics of black hole-powered jets.

Reference:

Abe, K., et al. (May 27, 2026). Detection of the distant quasar OP 313 with the first Large-Sized Telescope of CTAO. Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Acknowledements: Podcast prepared with Google/NotebookLM. Illustration credits: Tomohiro Inada

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(101)

Ripples in Spacetime: Unpacking the GWTC-5.0 Catalog

In this episode, we dive into the monumental release of the Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog version 5.0 (GWTC-5.0) and the open data from the second part of the fourth observing run (O4b) by the ...

29 Touko 21min

SN 2017egm : Fermi-LAT's Breakthrough Gamma-Ray Detection

In today’s episode, we dive into the mystery of superluminous supernovae (SLSNe)—rare, extreme astronomical events that shine 10 to 100 times brighter than standard core-collapse supernovae. For years...

22 Touko 23min

Supernovae on the RISE: Why Dead Stars Wake Up Decades Later

In this episode, we explore the fascinating phenomenon of core-collapse supernovae that refuse to fade away quietly. Years, or even decades, after their initial explosion, some of these stellar deaths...

20 Touko 17min

The SVOM Satellite: A New Era in Multi-Messenger Astronomy

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and high-energy transients through the lens of the SVOM (Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor) mission. Launche...

29 Huhti 24min

Chasing the Flash: Hunting Neutron Star Mergers with CTAO

In this episode, we dive into the thrilling world of multi-messenger astronomy! Ever since the historic detection of GW170817, scientists have known that binary neutron star (BNS) mergers can produce ...

14 Huhti 19min

Tiling the Sky: A New Strategy for Finding Elusive GRBs

In this episode, we dive into the intense and fast-paced world of **Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)—the most luminous and rapidly evolving transients in the Universe**. While space-based instruments like the ...

13 Huhti 19min

Fast Radio Bursts & Magnetar X-Rays: A Peculiar Discovery

In this episode, we dive into the deep cosmos to explore a recent astronomical breakthrough linking Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)—enigmatic, millisecond-long cosmic transients—to extreme stellar objects kn...

7 Huhti 22min