The quasar-like Murasaki 312 in 2267
A quasar was a specific type of celestial object formed by matter falling into a super-massive black hole. The resulting energy is released as X-rays in all directions. However, the X-ray release is most intense directly above or below the galactic plane. Observed from this view, the resulting bright object is known as a quasar.
During the original five-year mission of the USS Enterprise, Captain James T. Kirk was under standing orders to investigate all quasars, and quasar-like phenomena. In 2267, the Enterprise encountered Murasaki 312, a quasar-like electromagnetic phenomenon. (TOS: "The Galileo Seven")
In the 2270s, Quasar 7 was labeled on the astrogator star chart of the USS Enterprise when the ship was leaving the Sol system to intercept V'ger. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
In 2364, a painting of the quasar binary star system SS 433 was displayed in the observation lounge of the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint")
In 2367, Worf informed Data about a long-range sensor sweep of the Murasaki quasar. (TNG: "Data's Day")
In 2370, Captain Jean-Luc Picard received a priority one message from Admiral Margaret Blackwell inquiring about the current status of the ship. Responding that the Enterprise was conducting surveys of the Mekoria Quasar, she redirected the ship to assist Admiral Erik Pressman. (TNG: "The Pegasus")
In 2375, while analyzing an isolinear frequency from chaotic space, Seven of Nine speculated it could be of natural origin, like a star or quasar which had survived there. (VOY: "The Fight")
In 2376, Tuvok described Kelemane's planet as having a high rate of rotation, resembling a quasar. (VOY: "Blink of an Eye")
Also that year, Icheb informed Seven that while he was on the Borg cube, he had never thought about the space outside, such as pulsars, quasars, and nebulas. (VOY: "Child's Play")
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Background information[]
Star Trek's apparent definition of quasars differs from what is established as such in 21st century real-world science. In fact, "quasars" are always associated with supermassive black holes in the centers of young galaxies, and could therefore not occur within the Milky Way. The quasars, or "quasar-like objects", mentioned and shown in Star Trek more closely correspond to what real-world science calls microquasars.
External links[]
- Quasar at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
- Quasar at Wikipedia