Centaurus A: The Galaxy Deep Inside
Explanation:
Deep inside
Centaurus A, the closest
active galaxy to Earth, lies ... another galaxy!
Cen A is a giant elliptical galaxy a mere 10 million light-years
distant
with a central jumble
of stars, dust, and gas that probably hides
a massive black hole.
This composite combines an optical picture of Cen A with dark
lines tracing lobes of radio emission and an
infrared image from the
ISO
satellite (in red).
The
ISO data maps out the dust in what appears to be
a barred spiral galaxy
about the size of the prominent
nearby spiral M33.
The discoverers believe that the giant elliptical's gravity helps this
barred spiral galaxy maintain its shape.
In turn, material funneled along the spiral's bar fuels the central black hole
which powers the elliptical's radio lobes.
This apparently intimate association between two distinct
and dissimilar galaxies suggests a truly
cosmic symbiotic relationship.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
