Centaurus A is an intense source of radio noise associated with the galaxy NGC 5128 (seen in this image). The noise is likely produced by the synchrotron radiation emitted by a supermassive black hole (55 million solar masses) in the center of the galaxy.
NGC 5128 is noteworthy because of the unusual, diagonal rift, the origin of which remains a mystery. Some have conjectured that the rift is a vestige from the collision of two spiral galaxies, while others speculate that what we are seeing is the merger of a giant elliptical galaxy with a large elliptical galaxy.
In any event, the rift is readily apparent in amateur telescopes. Located in the constellation Centaurus, NGC 5128 is visible in the southern hemisphere, or the far southern latitudes in the northern hemisphere.
The galaxy is an estimated 10-15 million lights years distant.
Centaurus A
Date Taken:April 1 and 29, 2014
Location Taken:Siding Spring Observatory, NSW Australia
Conditions of Location: Equipment Used:Planewave 20" corrected Dall-Kirkham telescope, FLI PL11002M camera
Processing Used:20 x 5 minute images luminance, 8 x 3 minute images in red, green, and blue, for a total exposure time of nearly 3 hours. Processed in Maxim DL and Photoshop.
Distance from Location:12 million light years
Constellation:Centaurus
Other Link:
I showed this and some other of your images to my class today–they were amazed!