Hubble resolves quasars' host galaxies

This Hubble Space Telescope image reveals the faint host galaxy that a bright quasar dwells within. The wealth of new detail in this picture helps solve a three-decade old mystery about the true nature of quasars, the most distant and energetic objects in the universe.

The HST image shows clearly that the quasar, called 1229+204, lies in the core of a galaxy that has a common shape consisting of two spiral arms of stars connected by a bar-like feature. The host galaxy is in a spectacular collision with a dwarf galaxy. The collision apparently fuels the quasar "engine" at the galaxy center - presumably a massive black hole and also triggers many sites of new star-formation.

The image is one of a pair of relatively nearby quasars that were selected as early targets to test the resolution and dynamic range of HST's newly-installed Wide Field and Planetary Camera, which contains special optics to correct for a flaw in Hubble's primary mirror.