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Centaurus A
At a distance of 11 million light years, Centaurus A or NGC 5128, is the nearest example of a type of galaxy called an active galaxy. It is a large elliptically shaped galaxy that shows evidence of repeated explosions, probably from a supermassive black hole in the center of the galaxy. Radio and X-ray images of the galaxy show a jet of high-energy particles blasting out from the center. Because of its unusual nature and proximity, it is one of the most extensively studied galaxies in the southern hemisphere.
| Fast Facts for Centaurus A: |
| Credit |
NASA/CXC/SAO |
| Scale |
Image is 15 arcmin on a side. |
| Category |
Quasars & Active Galaxies |
| Coordinates (J2000) |
RA 13h 25m 28s | Dec -43° 01' 11" |
| Constellation |
Centaurus |
| Observation Dates |
September 10, 1999
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| Observation Time |
6 hours |
| Obs. IDs |
1253
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| Color Code |
Intensity |
| Instrument |
HRC |
| Also Known As | Cen A, NGC 5128 |
| Distance Estimate |
11 million light years |
| Release Date |
October 25, 1999 |
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