Abstract

This is a hypothesis which attempts to explain the characteristics of QSOs (quasi stellar objects) as an optical illusion created by gravitational lensing of the photons from the opposite jet emanating from a huge [Gaskill] mass at the center of an active galaxy the axis of which is oriented toward [Berthel] the earth, by the magnified emission of atoms and reflection of ultraviolet and X-rays from a dense plate of ions on the surface of an accretion disk, and by infrared rays emitted from dust and gas further out, the last not magnified as greatly. BL Lac objects (BL Lac objects are extragalactic, highly variable, polarized sources with significant emission from radio to X-ray wavelengths) are perceived as QSOs from which primarily rays emitted or reflected by the ions on the accretion disk are seen. BAL QSOs and infrared QSOs are perceived as active galaxies viewed from 90 degrees to the side of the axis.