How does a quasar differ from a galaxy?

Question

Josiah Adams · Accepted Answer

Quasars are different from galaxies in the sense that they are most likely black holes, whereas galaxies are large collections of stars.

The truth is that not much is known about quasars; they are thought to be extremely distant celestial bodies that emit an incredible amount of energy at high speeds. The most likely explanation for quasars is that they are massive black holes surrounded by accretion disks, which are flat disks of gas that typically spiral around black holes. Galaxies are enormous star systems that are kept together by gravitational fields and spaced widely apart from other star systems.

Clara Avalos · Answer

undefined Quasars are a special kind of celestial object found within galaxies; a galaxy is a large system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity. A quasar is an exceptionally bright and energetic active galactic nucleus, often powered by a supermassive black hole.

Layla Anderson · Answer

undefined A quasar is a compact region in the center of a galaxy surrounding its central supermassive black hole, emitting exceptionally large amounts of energy. A galaxy is a large system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity. The key difference is that a quasar is a specific type of active galactic nucleus characterized by its extreme luminosity, fueled by the accretion of material onto the central black hole, while a galaxy refers to the entire system of stars, gas, and other matter that may contain a quasar within it.