The type of AGN we see depends mostly on the angle at which we view the galaxy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The type of AGN we observe is indeed heavily influenced by the angle at which we view the galaxy. This is because the effects of the AGN, such as the emission of radiation and the shape of the galaxy's central region, can be obscured if we view it at certain angles. For example, if we view a galaxy with an accretion disk that is oriented edge-on, we might not see the disk itself but instead observe the effects of the material falling into the black hole in the form of emission lines or other radiation. So the angle of view can significantly influence our observations of AGN.

The Type of AGN We See Depends Mostly on the Angle