Quasar Absorbtion Studies (IMAGE) University of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute Caption Quasars are among the brightest objects in the universe and can be used as lighthouses to study the universe between the quasars and Earth. Here researchers have discovered a galaxy that lies in front of a quasar and by studying the absorption lines in the light from the quasar, they have measured the elemental composition in the galaxy in great detail, despite the fact that we are looking approx. 11 billion years back in time. Credit Graphic: Chano Birkelind, Niels Bohr Institute Usage Restrictions Graphic: Chano Birkelind, Niels Bohr Institute License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.