What is the difference between the left and right pictures of a Quasar Core?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the differences between two images of a Quasar Core, with the right image utilizing a coronagraph to block central light, revealing surrounding material. Participants clarify that a quasar refers to the entire active galactic nucleus (AGN), including the accretion disk, while the "core" specifically denotes the black hole at its center. There is confusion regarding the terminology, as some wonder if the quasar itself is the core or if they are distinct entities. The conversation highlights the challenges of imaging around such intense radiation. Overall, the distinction between quasar and core is important for understanding their structure and behavior.
Drakkith
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So I was looking some stuff up on Quasars on Wikipedia and noticed this picture.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/2003-03-b-web.jpg

It says that this is a Quasar Core. What exactly is the difference between the left and right pictures here? Did they block out the light from the center to show the material around it?
 
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Drakkith said:
So I was looking some stuff up on Quasars on Wikipedia and noticed this picture.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/2003-03-b-web.jpg

It says that this is a Quasar Core. What exactly is the difference between the left and right pictures here? Did they block out the light from the center to show the material around it?

What is a Quasar "core" anyway? It's a very young AGN, so isn't the Quaser already the core, and imaging beyond the intense radiation strikes me as impossible. Maybe I'm missing the point... is the Quasar the entire young galaxy, and the AGN is the 'core'?
 
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Drakkith said:
It says that this is a Quasar Core. What exactly is the difference between the left and right pictures here? Did they block out the light from the center to show the material around it?
Yes, the right image is using a 'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronagraph" ' to block out the central light---allowing the surrounding region to be seen and better resolved.
 
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Misericorde said:
What is a Quasar "core" anyway? It's a very young AGN, so isn't the Quaser already the core, and imaging beyond the intense radiation strikes me as impossible. Maybe I'm missing the point... is the Quasar the entire young galaxy, and the AGN is the 'core'?

I think the term quasar encompasses the whole accretion disk and everything inside it, while "core" would probably just be the black hole itself.

zhermes said:
Yes, the right image is using a 'http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronagraph" ' to block out the central light---allowing the surrounding region to be seen and better resolved.

Ah, ok. Thanks!
 
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Drakkith said:
I think the term quasar encompasses the whole accretion disk and everything inside it, while "core" would probably just be the black hole itself.



Ah, ok. Thanks!

That makes sense, thanks Drakkith.
 

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