Ancient Quasar Discovered, Outshining Trillion Suns Post-big Bang

WHO:

Space.com - Astronomers using the ESA's Euclid space telescope.

Science Daily - Astronomers involved in the discovery of ancient quasars.

WHAT:

Space.com - Discovery of the oldest quasar ever seen, which shines with the light of a trillion suns.

Science Daily - Uncovered 31 of the oldest known quasars, including the two earliest ever detected.

WHERE:

Space.com - Early universe, specifically referencing the conditions shortly after the Big Bang.

Science Daily - The quasars are observed from a time when the universe was only about 670 million years old.

WHEN:

Science Daily - The universe was approximately 670 million years old when these quasars were shining.

WHY:

Science Daily - The existence of these ancient quasars challenges scientists' understanding of how supermassive black holes formed so quickly after the Big Bang.

HOW:

Space.com - Utilized the ESA's Euclid space telescope to discover black hole-powered quasars.

(UPDATED July 9, 2026 21:23 UTC)

Astronomers using the ESA's Euclid space telescope have made a groundbreaking discovery of the oldest quasar ever seen, which shines with the light of a trillion suns. They uncovered a total of 31 of the oldest known quasars, including the two earliest ever detected, from a time when the universe was only about 670 million years old. This finding challenges scientists' understanding of how supermassive black holes formed so quickly after the Big Bang.