Active Galactic Nucleus

Definition

A galaxy centre made unusually luminous by matter accreting onto a supermassive black hole.

Scientific overview

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) span quasars, blazars, and Seyfert galaxies — all powered by a central supermassive black hole. Unified models explain their variety largely by viewing angle and accretion rate.

Rests on

Accretion Disk

Supermassive Black Hole

Quasar

Blazar

Knowledge connections

Related toAccretion Disk
Related toSupermassive Black Hole
Related toQuasar
Related toBlazar
Depends onAccretion Disk
Related toSupermassive Black Hole
Related toQuasar
Related toBlazar
Associated withSeyfert Galaxy
Associated withLINER
Associated withRadio Galaxy
Associated withBL Lac Object
Associated withThe Unified AGN Model
Associated withBlack-Hole Feedback
Associated withRelativistic Jet
Associated withThe Blandford–Znajek Mechanism

Sources & references

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.
ESOEuropean Southern Observatory
Southern-hemisphere observatory data and imagery (VLT, ALMA partner).

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Definition

Scientific overview

Rests on

Related topics

Knowledge connections

Sources & references

Active Galactic Nucleus

Definition

Scientific overview

Rests on

Related topics

Knowledge connections

Sources & references