3C 454.3

3C 454.3 is a type of active galaxy called a “blazar.” Like many active galaxies, a blazar emits oppositely directed jets of particles traveling near the speed of light as matter falls into a central supermassive black hole. For blazars, the galaxy happens to be oriented so that one jet is aimed right at us. 3C 454.3 is often the brightest blazar in the gamma-ray sky. It flares and fades 7.2 billion light-years away.