A Seyfert Galaxy is a type of active galaxy characterized by a bright nucleus and strong emission lines in its spectrum. These galaxies are named after the American astronomer Carl Seyfert, who identified them in the 1940s. Seyfert galaxies are typically spiral galaxies and are known for their high luminosity, which can outshine the combined light of all their stars.
There are two main types of Seyfert galaxies: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Seyfert galaxies exhibit broad emission lines, indicating the presence of fast-moving gas near a supermassive black hole, while Type 2 Seyfert galaxies show narrow emission lines. Both types are important for studying the behavior of black holes and the evolution of galaxies.