active galaxy

English

Noun

active galaxy (plural active galaxies)

1. (astronomy) A galaxy where a significant fraction of the energy output is not emitted by the normal components of a galaxy.
2. (by restriction) A galaxy with an active nucleus (AGN, active galactic nucleus)

Usage notes

This term frequently is used to refer to galaxies containing AGNs, but is not always used as such; with the wider more general meaning also seeing appreciable use.

Hypernyms

• galaxy

Hyponyms

• blazar
• LINER
• LIRG
• Markarian galaxy
• quasar
• radio galaxy
• Seyfert galaxy
• starburst galaxy
• XBONG

 

See also

• AGN, active galactic nucleus
• BL Lac, BL Lac object, BL Lacertae object

Further reading

• active galaxy on Wikipedia.Wikipedia