Author Question: Why do astronomers believe that galactic collisions cause active galactic nuclei? What will be an ... (Read 65 times)

dakota nelson · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

Why do astronomers believe that galactic collisions cause active galactic nuclei?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

The layer above the chromosphere is the photosphere.

a. True
b. False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false

shailee · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

All galaxies are believed to contain supermassive central black holes. Active galactic nuclei are caused when a large amount of matter falls into the central black hole, triggering an eruption. During a galactic collision, galaxies become tidally distorted, sending excess matter into the central black hole.

Observations support this idea. Many active galaxies have distorted shapes. Over a third of active galaxies are found to be double objects where the active nucleus is orbiting an object of similar mass. Active galaxies are more common in the early Universe, when galactic collisions were more frequent.

Answer to Question 2

False