# Luminosity of the Milky Way compared to Seyfert galaxies

This page lists the total luminosity of the Milky Way (MW) Galaxy to be $$4\times10^{10}$$ $$L_{\rm sol}$$, and $$L_{\rm sol}=3.86 \cdot 10^{33} {\rm ergs.sec}^{-1}$$; this gives a total luminosity for the MW of $$1.54\cdot 10^{44}{\rm ergs.sec}^{-1}$$.

But Seyfert galaxies can have luminosities of $$\sim 10^{40} - 10^{42}{\rm ergs.sec}^{-1}$$, and this is due to the high luminosity of the galactic core of a Seyfert.

Since the MW doesn't have an active SMBH, does this mean that the MW is particularly bright due to a high luminosity stellar population? Or am I missing something?

• Seyferts can easily be as or more luminous than the Milky Way. – ProfRob Apr 9 '19 at 7:20
• Yeah, I know, and that's my point; shouldn't the MW be less luminous than Seyferts? Sorry if I didn't make that clear. – Jim421616 Apr 9 '19 at 10:09
• So what you may have missed is a reliable source of Seyfert luminosities, since I don't recognise your range. – ProfRob Apr 9 '19 at 12:30
• Wikipedia says that "Seyfert galaxies [...] luminosities ranging between $10^8$ and $10^{11}$ solar luminosities." not quite the range stated in the question - what am I missing? – B--rian Apr 15 at 10:50