Which is Brighter: Gamma Ray Bursters or Quasars?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the luminosity comparison between Gamma Ray Bursters (GRBs) and Quasars, exploring conflicting claims about which is brighter. Participants examine definitions, characteristics, and contexts of both phenomena, touching on theoretical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that GRBs are described as the most luminous events in the universe, occurring briefly due to a star's collapse into a black hole.
  • Others argue that Quasars are considered the most energetic and luminous objects, typically associated with ancient supermassive black holes emitting intense radio waves.
  • One participant suggests that GRBs may be caused by Quasars, though this is questioned by others.
  • Another participant clarifies that GRBs are short-lived bursts while Quasars are more static sources of luminosity, leading to a distinction in their brightness over time.
  • There is a recognition that the terminology used may contribute to the confusion regarding luminosity comparisons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and characteristics of GRBs and Quasars, indicating that there is no consensus on which is definitively brighter. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of terminology and the context of luminosity, noting that GRBs release energy in a brief burst while Quasars are more stable sources. There are also assumptions about the historical presence of these phenomena in the universe that remain unaddressed.

aguycalledwil
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Okay, so this may be a little bit of a trivial question, but I've read conflicting information and found myself confused as a result.

I've read from several sources (wikipedia, books) that GRB's are the most luminous events known to occur in our universe.

However, I've also read that Quasars are 'the most energetic and luminous objects in the known universe' (the physics book - Cllifford A. Pickover).

So my question is, which is brighter? Nowhere that I've found on the net addresses the question. Some sites favour GRB's and others favour quasars, but nowhere compares them. Does anybody have any quantitive values?

Thanks in advance!
 
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I'm probably remembering incorrectly, but aren't GRBs caused by Quasars, or at least we think so(?)
 
Not as far as I know.. I thought GRBs were short-lived bursts of gamma radiation as a result of a star's collapse into an ordinary black hole, which occur frequently all over the universe, whilst a quasar is an ancient supermassive black hole that emits intense radio waves. It's to my understanding that quasars were only present early on in the universe's history, which isn't true for GRBs? Maybe I'm mistaken..
 
aguycalledwil said:
Not as far as I know.. I thought GRBs were short-lived bursts of gamma radiation as a result of a star's collapse into an ordinary black hole, which occur frequently all over the universe, whilst a quasar is an ancient supermassive black hole that emits intense radio waves. It's to my understanding that quasars were only present early on in the universe's history, which isn't true for GRBs? Maybe I'm mistaken..

This is basically correct. The problem that the OP cites is mainly one of terminology. In terms of amount of energy released per second, GRBs are undoubtedly the most luminous events in the universe during the brief time over which they occur. Quasars, on the other hand, are the most luminous "static" sources of energy (I use quotation marks because quasars do show rapid variability).
 
Thanks very much, that makes sense to me! It's been bugging me for ages now, glad to get that cleared up. Thanks!
 

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