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Credit: X-ray -
NASA,
CXC,
R.Kraft
(CfA),
et al.;
Radio - NSF, VLA, M.Hardcastle (U Hertfordshire) et al.; Optical - ESO, M.Rejkuba (ESO-Garching) et al.
Explanation:
A mere 11 million light-years away,
Centaurus A is a giant elliptical
galaxy - the closest active galaxy to Earth.
This remarkable
composite view of the galaxy
combines
image data
from the x-ray (
Chandra),
optical(ESO), and
radio(VLA)
regimes.
Centaurus A's central region
is a jumble of gas, dust, and stars
in optical light,
but both radio and x-ray telescopes trace a
remarkable jet of
high-energy particles streaming from the galaxy's core.
The cosmic
particle accelerator's
power source is a
black
hole with about 10 million times the mass of the
Sun coincident with the x-ray bright spot at the galaxy's center.
Blasting out from the active galactic nucleus toward the upper left,
the energetic jet extends about 13,000 light-years.
A shorter jet extends from the nucleus in the opposite direction.
Other x-ray bright spots
in
the field are binary star systems with neutron stars or stellar mass
black holes.
Active galaxy Centaurus A is likely the result of a
merger with
a spiral galaxy some 100 million years ago.
Radio - NSF, VLA, M.Hardcastle (U Hertfordshire) et al.; Optical - ESO, M.Rejkuba (ESO-Garching) et al.
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Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Centaurus A - active galaxy - NGC 5128
Publications with words: Centaurus A - active galaxy - NGC 5128
See also: