An Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) is a region at the center of some galaxies that emits an extraordinary amount of energy, often outshining the entire galaxy. This energy comes from a supermassive black hole that is actively consuming surrounding material, such as gas and dust. As this material 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 based on their characteristics, such as quasars, blazars, and Seyfert galaxies. These classifications depend on factors like the angle from which we observe them and the intensity of their emissions. AGN play a crucial role in understanding galaxy evolution and the dynamics of the universe.