Sky science
Active Galactic Nucleus
Direct answer
Active Galactic Nucleus: An Active Galactic Nucleus is a compact luminous galaxy center powered mainly by matter accreting onto a supermassive black hole.
It is an exceptionally energetic galactic core.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Elliptical Galaxy, Irregular Galaxy, Quasar, Gravitational Lensing
It is an exceptionally energetic galactic core.
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The story behind Active Galactic Nucleus
Radio and spectroscopic surveys connected quasars, Seyferts, and related objects through accretion physics.
A one-minute story
The Wandering Stars
How the moving planets were watched, named and found, and what a transit is.
Why Active Galactic Nucleus matters
Active Galactic Nucleus can outshine its host and launch jets while probing black-hole growth.
How to read Active Galactic Nucleus
Classify with spectra, variability, radio emission, and viewing geometry.
Active Galactic Nucleus in practice: an example
Gas in an accretion disk converts gravitational energy into radiation before reaching the event horizon.
Where readings of Active Galactic Nucleus go wrong
The black hole itself does not shine; nearby matter produces the observed power.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NASA Science: Galaxies - NASA overview of galaxy structure, types, groups, clusters, and the Milky Way.
- NASA Science: Black Holes - NASA reference for black-hole properties, accretion, detection, and gravitational effects.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Investigate an active galaxy core
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Common questions
What is an Active Galactic Nucleus?
An Active Galactic Nucleus is a compact luminous galaxy center powered mainly by matter accreting onto a supermassive black hole.
What do people get wrong about an Active Galactic Nucleus?
The black hole itself does not shine; nearby matter produces the observed power.
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