From the Chandra X-ray Observatory
At a distance of 11 million light years, Centaurus A or NGC 5128, is the nearest example 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 Chandra X-ray images 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.
Image Title: The Centaurus A Galaxy at X-Ray Wavelengths
Text based on accompanying press release
Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO
Last Modified On: Saturday, December 16, 2000