Researchers have discovered that quasars, the brightest and most powerful objects in the universe, are ignited by galaxies colliding. By observing distorted structures in the outer regions of the galaxies that are home to quasars, they concluded that galaxies hosting quasars are three times as likely to be interacting or colliding with other galaxies.

Quasars are important to astrophysicists because their brightness makes them stand out at large distances, helping to study the earliest epochs in the history of the universe. The study has provided a significant step forward in understanding how these powerful objects are triggered and fueled.