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Астронет: Астрономическая картинка дня Цвета и загадки Центавра А http://variable-stars.ru/db/msg/1178839/eng |
Credit & Copyright: X-ray (NASA/CXC/M. Karovska et al.);
Radio 21-cm image (NRAO/VLA/Schiminovich, et al.),
Radio continuum image (NRAO/VLA/J.Condon et al.); Optical (Digitized Sky Survey, U.K. Schmidt Image/ STScI)
Explanation:
Why is spiral galaxy Centaurus A in so much turmoil?
The above composite image shows different clues to the
unusual galaxy's past in different bands of light.
In low energy radio waves, shown in red, lobes across the thick swath of
dust glow brightly.
In more energetic radio waves, depicted in green, a bright
jet is seen emanating from the
galaxy's center.
In optical light, shown in white, the stars that compose
much of the galaxy are visible.
Recently, Centaurus A
has recently been imaged in
X-ray light by the
Chandra X-ray Observatory.
The X-rays, depicted in blue, show arcs of hot gas
shooting out from the center in an explosion that
likely happened about 10 million years ago.
One hypothesis that would explain the turmoil would be if
Centaurus A
devoured a smaller galaxy
about 100 million years ago.
Radio continuum image (NRAO/VLA/J.Condon et al.); Optical (Digitized Sky Survey, U.K. Schmidt Image/ STScI)
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
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NASA Official: Jay Norris.
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rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.