Posted on 04/05/2012 8:07:45 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: What's the closest active galaxy to planet Earth? That would be Centaurus A, only 11 million light-years distant. Spanning over 60,000 light-years, the peculiar elliptical galaxy is also known as NGC 5128. Forged in a collision of two otherwise normal galaxies, Centaurus A's fantastic jumble of young blue star clusters, pinkish star forming regions, and imposing dark dust lanes are seen here in remarkable detail. The colorful galaxy portrait was recorded under clear Chilean skies at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. Near the galaxy's center, left over cosmic debris is steadily being consumed by a central black hole with a billion times the mass of the Sun. As in other active galaxies, that process likely generates the radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray energy radiated by Centaurus A.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit & Copyright: SSRO-South (Steve Mazlin, Jack Harvey, Daniel Verschatse, Rick Gilbert) and Kevin Ivarsen (PROMPT / CTIO / UNC)]
|
far out.
Kool
Beautiful!
Looks like a blood stain.
“steadily being consumed by a central black hole with a billion times the mass of the Sun”
http://wisiwib.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/michelle-obama-not-happy.jpg
LOL!
-and-
LOL!
[smiles fondly at you]
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
