Active galactic nucleus (AGN), computer artwork. An AGN is a galactic core that emits a higher luminosity than can be produced by the galaxy's stars a

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Active galactic nucleus (AGN), computer artwork. An AGN is a galactic core that emits a higher luminosity than can be produced by the galaxy's stars alone. This is thought to be caused by a supermassive black hole at the core accreting mass. As gas falls into the black hole the gravitational energy is converted into heat and it is the heated gas that emits the radiation.

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Size: 3753px × 4701px
Photo credit: © NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: accreting, accretion, active, artwork, astronomical, astronomy, astrophysical, astrophysics, black, blazar, centre, core, emitting, galactic, galaxy, gas, heated, high, hole, illustration, jet, luminosity, massive, nucleus, quasar, radiation, radio, seyfert, space, supermassive