SMSS J114447.77–430859.3
Approximate location of SMSS J114447.77–430859.3 in the sky (circled)
Observation data ( Epoch J2000)
Constellation	Centaurus
Right ascension	11h 44m 47.76096s [1]
Declination	−43° 08′ 59.4276″ [1]
Redshift	0.83 [2]
Other designations
2MASS J11444776-4308594 [1]
See also: Quasar, List of quasars

SMSS J114447.77–430859.3 or J1144 or J1144–4308 is a very bright (unbeamed) quasar (g = 14.5 ABmag, K = 11.9 Vegamag) and a supermassive black hole, that appears from Earth to be in the constellation Centaurus at RA 11h44m and Declination –43, near the Southern Cross ( Crux). The SkyMapper Southern Survey (SMSS) was used to ascertain its spectral properties. ^[2]

J1144 was identified during a search for binary stars. ^{[2] [3]} Despite being relatively bright, it had escaped classification as a quasar in earlier searches, which avoided the crowded fields near the galactic equator. ^[4]

After examining various data sets, the study group determined that J1144 is the most intrinsically luminous quasar known over the last ~9 Gyr of cosmic history, having a luminosity 8 times greater than 3C 273 in Virgo. ^[2]

According to the lead researcher Dr Christofer Onken, of the Australian National University: While black holes are themselves not visible; their gravity is so great that not even light can escape them, they are observable because of the matter that swirls around them.

References