extragalactic radio source

An extragalactic radio source is an astronomical object outside our own galaxy that emits significant amounts of radio waves. These sources are often associated with peculiar galaxy morphologies and can be found in large clusters.12

A prime example is Centaurus A, where a central galaxy is surrounded by a much larger, two-lobed radio structure. This is thought to be caused by energetic events in the galaxy's nucleus expelling ionized gas at near light speed, generating synchrotron radiation detected as radio waves. Another example is Virgo A, where radio emission is linked to a jet emanating from the galaxy's nucleus.2

The immense energy output of these sources is likely due to supermassive black holes at their centers, which capture material, forming accretion disks and ejecting matter. Merging galaxies can also trigger explosive events around these black holes. Some radio galaxies are also detected as X-ray galaxies.23