X is a celestial phenomenon in which a massive object can distort elec...
- Supernova refers to both a type of star and a stellar explosion. A supernova is a star that suddenly increases greatly in brightness because of a catastrophic explosion that ejects most of its mass.
- A supernova should not be confused with a quasar or quasars, which are believed to be the most distant objects yet detected in the universe. Quasars give off enormous amounts of energy - they can be a trillion times brighter than the Sun. Quasar is derived from a quasi-stellar radio source (star- like radiowave source), a term used by astronomers. In addition to radio waves and visible light, quasars also emit ultraviolet rays, infrared waves, X-rays, and gamma-rays. Most quasars are larger than our solar system. A quasar is approximately 1 kiloparsec in width.
- Quasars are believed to produce their energy from massive black holes in the center of the galaxies in which the quasars are located. Because quasars are so bright, they drown out the light from all the other stars in the same galaxy.
- Even if a quasar is very far away, astronomers can detect it if a galaxy closer to Earth acts as a lens and makes the quasar look extra bright and big. The gravitational field of the closer galaxy warps space itself, bending and amplifying the distant quasar’s light. This effect is called gravitational lensing. While gravitational lensing is the phenomenon, A gravitational lens is a region of space containing a massive object whose gravitational field distorts electromagnetic radiation passing through it in a similar way to a lens, sometimes producing multiple images of a remote object. Hence X stands for gravitational lensing and Y stands for quasars.
- Neutron Star: It is a celestial object of very small radius (typically 30 km) and very high density, composed predominantly of closely packed neutrons. Neutron stars are thought to form by the gravitational collapse of the remnant of a massive star after a supernova explosion, provided that the star is insufficiently massive to produce a black hole.
- White Dwarf: It is a small very dense star that is typically the size of a planet. A white dwarf is formed when a low-mass star (like our Sun) has exhausted all its central nuclear fuel and lost its outer layers as a planetary nebula. Only the hot core of the star remains. This core becomes a very hot white dwarf, with a temperature exceeding 100,000 Kelvin.
- Pulsar: It is a celestial object, thought to be a rapidly rotating (and highly magnetised) neutron star, that emits regular pulses of radio waves and other electromagnetic radiation at rates of up to one thousand pulses per second.
X is a celestial phenomenon in which a massive object can distort elec...
Explanation:
Gravitational lensing is a celestial phenomenon in which a massive object can distort electromagnetic radiation and cause a class of distant celestial objects to appear brighter and nearer. These distant objects are called star-like radio-wave sources or quasars. They can be a trillion times brighter than the Sun.
Gravitational Lensing:
Gravitational lensing occurs when the gravitational field of a massive object, such as a galaxy or a cluster of galaxies, bends the path of light rays passing near it. This bending of light can result in the magnification and distortion of the image of a distant object behind the massive object. This phenomenon is similar to how a lens bends and focuses light.
Quasars:
Quasars are a class of distant celestial objects that are extremely luminous and emit high-energy radiation, including radio waves. They are believed to be powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. The intense gravitational pull of the black hole causes the surrounding material to heat up and emit large amounts of energy.
Relation between Gravitational Lensing and Quasars:
Gravitational lensing can cause quasars, which are already bright and distant, to appear even brighter and nearer. The gravitational field of a massive object acts as a lens, magnifying and amplifying the light from the quasar. This makes the quasar appear much brighter than it actually is and allows astronomers to study and observe these distant objects in greater detail.
Supernova and Neutron Star:
Supernova refers to the explosive death of a massive star, while a neutron star is a highly dense remnant that is left behind after a supernova. Although supernovae can release intense energy and emit electromagnetic radiation, they do not cause the magnification and distortion of distant celestial objects like gravitational lensing does.
Supernova and White Dwarf:
A white dwarf is a remnant of a low to medium mass star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel, while a supernova is the explosive death of a massive star. While a supernova can cause a white dwarf to form, they are not directly related to the phenomenon of gravitational lensing.
Pulsar:
A pulsar is a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation. Although pulsars are associated with neutron stars, they are not directly related to the phenomenon of gravitational lensing.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B: Gravitational lensing and Quasar.
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