Centaurus A (or NGC 5128) is a peculiar galaxy prominent in the southern sky and barely visible near the horizon from the northern hemisphere. Its classification remains controversial with some claiming that it is a spiral galaxy while others consider it be either a lenticular or peculiar galaxy. Its most conspicuous feature is the dark band that bisects it diagonally. Most astronomers believe this to be a vestige of an earlier merger between two spiral galaxies. Indeed, the Spitzer orbiting infrared observatory has confirmed that Centaurus A is currently engaged in devouring a smaller spiral galaxy. Its core contains a supermassive black hole with a mass equal to 55 million suns.
Centaurus A is a strong source of radio noise (nearly 1,000 times more radio emissions than are generated by our Milky Way galaxy). This is likely attributable to the supermassive black hole, or the current merger event.
Centaurus A is an estimated 10-15 million light years away, and contains 100 billion stars.
Galaxy Centaurus A
Date Taken:March 12, 2014
Location Taken:Siding Spring Observatory, NSW Australia
Conditions of Location: Equipment Used:Planewave 20" corrected Dall-Kirkham telescope, FLI PL6303E camera
Processing Used:A single 5-minute image in preparation for a 2.5 hour color image later this month. Processed in Maxim DL and Photoshop
Distance from Location:10-15 million light years
Constellation:Centaurus
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