Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 May 2016
“Low-luminosity” active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs) typically have ≳ mag, as opposed to −18 to −30 mag for luminous Seyfert 1 nuclei and QSOs. The physical origin of the class of emission-line nuclei known as low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs; Heckman 1980) remains controversial. Based on the close resemblance of some LINERs to Seyfert nuclei, LINERs can arguably be considered another manifestation of the AGN phenomenon. An alternative view is that stellar processes account for LINER energy. The energetics alone do not provide a useful discrimator between the two possible mechanisms.