Astronomy Picture of the Day · August 18, 1998

APM 08279+5255: The Brightest Object Yet Known

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for August 18, 1998 is “APM 08279+5255: The Brightest Object Yet Known,” an image. It is credited to Credit: M.J. Irwin (RGO), R.A. Ibata (ESO), G.F. Lewis (U. Washington, U. Victoria), and E.J. Totten (Keele U.), Isaac Newton 2.5-m Telescope. The original explanation runs about 137 words.

From the explanation

“It shines with the brightness of 100 billion Suns. Is it a mirage?”

— APOD editors, August 18, 1998

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: August 18, 1998
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: M.J. Irwin (RGO), R.A. Ibata (ESO), G.F. Lewis (U. Washington, U. Victoria), and E.J. Totten (Keele U.), Isaac Newton 2.5-m Telescope
Copyright: No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 137 words