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7 July 2026

Euclid telescope discovers oldest quasars

The discovery by the Euclid telescope provides scientific context regarding space exploration and the evolution of the universe, which is relevant to the GS3 syllabus on space technology, though it lacks a direct Indian dimension or policy impact.

1 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • Euclid space telescope, operated by the European Space Agency, has discovered 31 ancient quasars.
  • Quasars are the luminous cores of distant galaxies, powered by supermassive black holes converting gravitational energy into radiation.
  • The two oldest quasars discovered date back to when the universe was approximately 670 million years old (5% of its current 13.8 billion-year age).
  • This discovery surpasses the previous record for the oldest quasar by 20 million years.
  • Euclid is located at a stable hovering point 1.5 million kilometres from Earth.
  • Quasars are located in the 'epoch of reionisation', the period when the first stars and galaxies formed.
  • Scientists use quasars as 'lighthouses' to study the gas between galaxies and trace the history of cosmic reionisation.
  • A major scientific challenge is explaining how supermassive black holes (billions of times the mass of the sun) grew so large during the infancy of the universe.

Questions

  1. What are quasars, and why are they considered significant in understanding the early evolution of the universe and the epoch of reionisation? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The discovery of massive celestial objects in the early universe challenges existing models of cosmic evolution. Discuss the role of advanced space-based observatories in expanding our understanding of the infancy of the universe and the formation of supermassive black holes. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. What is a quasar primarily powered by?

  2. The Euclid space telescope is operated by which of the following organizations?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-07/euclid-telescope-discovers-oldest-quasars