Most are, but some are 1000's of times more luminous. Proof that active galaxies are more than just a collection of normal stars. Therefore, the source of this radiation must be less than 1 light-year across. The radiation we see does make sense if we assume that initial radiation is absorbed and re-emitted by gas and dust surrounding the core Jets and Lobe Creation protons and electrons are blasted out into space in jets jet formation not understood yet The jets contain strong magnetic fields the charged particles get trapped by the magnetic field lines and emit synchrotron radiation. Globes are formed when jets are slowed down and stopped by the intergalactic medium.
Flow becomes turbulent and form lobes.
1950's Radio Astronomy boom - found some odd radio sources with no visible counterparts. Scientists could not explain the broad emission lines from this star. Brightest ones must eat 1000 solar masses per year. Number of quasars vs time . Another process turns quasars into radio galaxies and then into normal elliptical galaxies.