Quasar

Quasars (/ˈkweɪzɑːr/) or quasi-stellar radio sources are the most energetic and distant members of a class of objects called active galactic nuclei (AGN). Quasars are extremely luminous and were first identified as being high redshift sources of electromagnetic energy, including radio waves and visible light, that appeared to be similar to stars, rather than extended sources similar to galaxies. Their spectra contain very broad emission lines, unlike any known from stars, hence the name "quasi-stellar." Their luminosity can be 100 times greater than that of the Milky Way. Most quasars were formed approximately 12 billion years ago, and they are normally caused by collisions of galaxies, with the galaxies' central black holes merging to form either a supermassive black hole or a binary black hole system.

Although the true nature of these objects was controversial until the early 1980s, there is now a scientific consensus that a quasar is a compact region in the center of a massive galaxy surrounding a central supermassive black hole. Its size is 10–10,000 times the Schwarzschild radius of the enclosed black hole. The energy emitted by a quasar derives from mass falling onto the accretion disc around the black hole.

Quasar (brand)

Quasar is a North American brand of electronics, first used by Motorola in 1967 for a model line of transistorized color televisions. These TVs were known for containing all serviceable parts in a drawer beside the picture tube. It was soon established as its own brand, with all Motorola-manufactured televisions being sold as Quasar by Motorola.

Quasar Electronics, Inc.

On May 29, 1974, Motorola, Inc., sold its television manufacturing division — including its plants in Pontiac, Illinois; Franklin Park, Illinois; and Markham, Ontario — to Matsushita, who continued production of home television receivers under a newly incorporated entity, Quasar Electronics, Inc., an American-managed subsidiary of Matsushita Electronic Corporation of America (MECA). Motorola continued to operate its plant in Quincy, Illinois for two years (until 1976), when plant ownership passed to the new company. Later, Quasar Company, the sales company, was split off from Matsushita Industrial Company, the manufacturing entity.

Quasar (band)

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Quasar was formed in 1979 by founder Keith Turner. They found themselves to be amongst a movement of British bands during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, Twelfth Night, Solstice and Pallas, that continued in the progressive rock style created by 1970s bands such as Genesis and Yes. Though Quasar has had quiet times due to leaving members, they and are now based in San Francisco. They are currently working on a new album for release in 2015.

History

In 1979, Quasar was formed when Keith Turner and Mike Kenwright began to write songs in the Progressive Rock style. Other members of the band included guitarist Steve Clarke, drummer John Clark, and keyboardist Geoff Banks. It didn't take long for changes to occur, however, as Clark left to join Bill Bruford's band Earthworks and Clarke left to tour with Billy Cobham, with Kenwright and Banks also departing the band.

Turner brought in Cyrus Khajavi on guitar, Paul Vigrass on vocals, Peter Ware on keyboards, Peter Shade on percussion and keyboards, and Steen Doosing on drums. In 1982 this lineup released the debut album Fire In The Sky. After a short burst of live shows further lineup changes occurred when Vigress, Doosing, Shade, and Ware departed the band to be replaced by former Solstice vocalist Susan Robinson, drummer David Cairns, and keyboardist Dillon Tonkin.