Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are extremely bright and energetic centers of some galaxies, powered by supermassive black holes that are millions to billions of times the Sun's mass. As matter from the galaxy falls into the black hole, it forms a spinning disk and heats up, emitting intense radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum—visible light, X-rays, and radio waves. This process creates the luminous core we see as an AGN. AGNs can outshine their entire host galaxy and often produce powerful jets of particles that extend thousands of light-years into space. They are key to understanding galaxy evolution and black hole growth.