When observing quasar J0742+2704, Achenbach was surprised to find it was not elliptical. "The biggest surprise was seeing the distinct spiral shape in the Hubble Space Telescope images.

is classified as a quasar, a type of active galaxy with jets so brilliant that they outshine the rest of the galaxy, causing it to resemble a point-like star in images. (The name "quasar" comes ...