Ionization cone

The Circinus Galaxy, a type II Seyfert galaxy in which an ionization cone has been observed
The Circinus Galaxy, a type II Seyfert galaxy a type II Seyfert galaxy in which an ionization cone has been observed.

Ionization cones are cones of ionized material extending from active galactic nuclei, predominantly observed in type II Seyfert galaxies. They are detected through their emission of electromagnetic radiation in the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum. The main method of observation is through spectroscopy, using spectral line analysis to measure the shape of the ionized region and the condition of the material such as temperature, density, composition, and degree of ionization.