Astronomy Picture of the Day 8-12-02

NASA ^ | 8-11-02 | <a href="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/rjn.html">Robert Nemiroff</a>

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2002 August 12

The Colors and Mysteries of Centaurus A
Credit: 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.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Get on the APOD PING list!

[mtngrl@vrwc]

APOD PING!

[sleavelessinseattle]

Awesome job MG! Looks like a top spinning on its axis!
Its so amazing to think that gravity has an effect over such long distances...much less that it distorts the space to force the celestial objects to move in the spiral! Beauty!

[RightWhale]

We were told that galaxies pass right through each other and very few stellar collisions happen. But if this very wide spectrum image is of the aftermath of galactic collision, it looks like a lot happens even if individual stars don't collide.

[2Trievers]

Thanks MG! So wonderous and beautiful! &;-)

[mtngrl@vrwc]

Isn't this a wonderful daily thread? I am so thankful to Petuniasevan for posting it each day.

Here I thought I was pretty knowledgable when it came to the stars and such, but I am finding out that I know so little about astronomy. There is just a wealth of information in this one daily thread and I have so much to learn!

That said, isn't this just a fabulous picture?

[2Trievers]

Yes! This is the MOST fantastic thread. And much appreciated! Thanks to you and 'tunia.

You have a lot to learn? LOL I went out last night to look for the Perseid meteor showers last night. Ended up watching bats catch bugs instead ... oh well ... I'll try again tonight. Helps to consult a calender! &;-)

[Sock]

Good job, thanks for the picture, but where’s the “fun fact”? Teacher used to give us a daily astronomy fun fact but you “subs” don’t do it. I miss the fun facts.

What’s up? ;)

[MeekOneGOP]

Wow !

[sleavelessinseattle]

Ouroborous, the Snake that eats its own tale is a creature of mythology signifying eternity...Does that suggest a creative visual for putting your screen name in your screen name, SOCK? /good natured rib in lieu of last nights lack of fun factuals! Thanks for the feedback...we don't know exactly where to go for fun facts, but will do our best, to fake it!
APOD MUST LIVE!!!;-D

[Vinomori]

bump