Galaxies | Milky way| Types of galaxies [1] | Structure of galaxies | AGN and Quasars Of Quasars and other AGN Quasars A quasar is a bright object in the middle of a galaxy which produces x-rays, strong radio waves, and light. Usually, the total energy produced by a quasar is over a trillion times that of our sun. Quasars are smaller than our solar system. Quasars house galaxies. The galaxy which rotates around a quasar is called the host galaxy. Why do galaxies rotate around Quasars? As you know, the Milky Way rotates around a super-massive black hole on the Accretion disk. On the accretion disk, the stars will not get sucked in but will rotate around the matter-sucking hole. Quasars contain a super-massive black hole in them. A Quasar is usually larger than a black hole. Like a black hole, a Quasar is only visible when it sucks in matter. Quasars are usually hundreds of times brighter than its host galaxy. Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) AGN is a classification term for matter in the middle of galaxies. Quasars make up the majority of AGN. Terms used in AGN: Radio-loud and radio quiet Quasars: These make up 90% of all the Quasars. They are located in the middle of galaxies (mostly spiral) and are much more brighter than the host galaxy. They are also known as “Quasistellar objects”, QSOs. Seyfert galaxies: These galaxies are galaxies which have a matter in its middle. The matter is not brighter than the galaxy itself. Optically violently variable Quasars (OVVs): These are the small amount of Quasars which have rapid changes in brightness when lit up by sucked matter. “Rapid changes” refers to a shimmering appearance. The shimmering appearance is caused by much more rapid vibrations of light given out when the matter is sucked in. BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs): Another term for Quasars which are similar to (OVVs). Blazars: A simple term which classifies OVVs and BL Lacs under one group. Radio galaxies: These are galaxies whose AGN (active galactic nuclei) is dim but gives out strong radio waves. Galaxies | Milky way| Types of galaxies [1] | Structure of galaxies | AGN and Quasars
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