Question

Many nearby galaxies may be much more active in the future, contain quasars, have radio lobes, or may have been much more active in the past?

1) may be much more active in the future
2) contain quasars
3) have radio lobes
4) may have been much more active in the past

Answer 1

Quasars are highly luminous due to the matter falling into their central black holes, emitting energy across different wavelengths.

Step-by-step explanation:

Quasars are extremely luminous objects powered by black holes at the centers of galaxies. They are often considered to be an early stage in galaxy formation and were more common when the universe was young. This is because there was more material available to be accreted by black holes, providing fuel for their "energy-producing engines." Quasars are capable of emitting tremendous amounts of energy, surpassing the luminosity of active galaxies. This energy can manifest in various forms, including radio lobes and jets of energetic particles that can be observed in different wavelengths like radio waves and X-rays.

The energy output from quasars and other active galactic nuclei (AGN) is related to the matter spiraling into the black hole's accretion disk. As matter falls into the black hole, it heats up and radiates energy before crossing the event horizon. This process can explain the high luminosity of quasars as well as the jets and lobes observed in radio galaxies. Whether or not the Milky Way could become as luminous as a quasar is uncertain, but its core would have to become significantly more active than it is currently.