What are Active Galaxies? main content.

What are Active Galaxies?

Part of Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe.

What are active galaxies_HERO AMNH/D. Finnin

Exhibition Text

An active galaxy emits up to thousands of times more energy than a normal galaxy. Most of this energy is released not in visible light but in other wavelengths, from radio waves to gamma rays. In addition, long jets of gas can spew forth from the galaxy at nearly the speed of light. This activity is driven by a supermassive black hole in the galaxy’s nucleus.

For Educators

Topic: Astronomy

Subtopic: Galaxies