Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are regions at the center of some galaxies that emit an extraordinary amount of energy, often outshining the entire galaxy. This energy is produced by supermassive black holes consuming surrounding gas and dust. As matter spirals into the black hole, it heats up and emits radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, X-rays, and radio waves.
AGN can be classified into different types, such as quasars, blazars, and Seyfert galaxies, based on their characteristics and the angle from which we observe them. These objects are crucial for understanding galaxy formation and evolution, as they influence their host galaxies through powerful jets and radiation.