False-colour radio image of active galaxy 3C 279, a blazar". Blazars are galaxies whose energy output increases massively over a period of a few months. It is thought that this increased energy output is due to a star near the centre of the galaxy being sucked into the black hole at the galaxy's core. 3C 279's energy output increased 17 times in the 8-month period up to March 1988. The image was recorded at the wavelength of 18cm by the MERLIN radio telescope array based at Jodrell Bank, England."