BL Lacertae object is a term used in astronomy to describe a type of active galactic nucleus (AGN) that emits intense radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. The term BL Lacertae object is derived from the name of a star in the constellation Lacerta, which was the first object of this type to be identified.
Definitions
BL Lacertae objects are a type of AGN that are characterized by their high variability in brightness and their lack of emission lines in their spectra. They are thought to be powered by the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy.
Origin
The first BL Lacertae object was discovered in 1929 by the American astronomer Carl Otto Lampland. However, it was not until the 1960s that astronomers began to realize that these objects were a distinct class of AGN.
Meaning in different dictionaries
BL Lacertae object is a term that is primarily used in astronomy and is not commonly found in general dictionaries. However, it can be found in specialized dictionaries of astronomy and astrophysics.
Associations
BL Lacertae objects are associated with a number of other astronomical phenomena, including quasars, blazars, and active galactic nuclei. They are also studied in the context of high-energy astrophysics and cosmology.
Synonyms
There are no common synonyms for BL Lacertae object, as it is a specific term used in astronomy.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms for BL Lacertae object.
The same root words
The term BL Lacertae object is derived from the name of the star Lacerta, which is a Latin word meaning “lizard”.
Example Sentences
- Astronomers have identified hundreds of BL Lacertae objects in the universe.
- The intense radiation emitted by BL Lacertae objects makes them important objects of study in high-energy astrophysics.
- BL Lacertae objects are thought to be powered by the accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy.
BL Lacertae object is a term used in astronomy to describe a type of active galactic nucleus that emits intense radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. These objects are characterized by their high variability in brightness and their lack of emission lines in their spectra. While the term is not commonly found in general dictionaries, it is an important concept in the field of astrophysics and cosmology.