Astronomy Picture of the Day - The Shells and Jets of Galaxy Centaurus A

NASA ^ | 11 Dec, 2024 | Image Credit: Rolf Olsen

[MtnClimber]

Explanation: What's the closest active galaxy to planet Earth? That would be Centaurus A, cataloged as NGC 5128, which is only 12 million light-years distant. Forged in a collision of two otherwise normal galaxies, Centaurus A shows several distinctive features including a dark dust lane across its center, outer shells of stars and gas, and jets of particles shooting out from a supermassive black hole at its center. The featured image captures all of these in a composite series of visible light images totaling over 310 hours captured over the past 10 years with a homebuilt telescope operating in Auckland, New Zealand. The brightness of Cen A's center from low-energy radio waves to high-energy gamma rays underlies its designation as an active galaxy.

[MtnClimber]

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For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.

[MtnClimber]

[MtnClimber]

[MtnClimber]

Pinging the APOD list

🪐 🌟 🌌 🍔

[NavyShoe]

I can see how the Robinsons got lost.

[ClearCase_guy]

When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way
From your first cigarette to your last dyin’ day
When you’re a Jet, let ‘em do what they can
You got brothers around, you’re a family man

[dfwgator]

J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!

[Red Badger]

BILLS!....BILLS!....BILLS!....BILLS!..........

[No name given]

Wow.

[MtnClimber]

You'll never forget until they cart you away.

You're a Jet.

[Verginius Rufus]

The Andromeda Galaxy, which is much closer, is offended by being labeled a passive galaxy.

[Organic Panic]

But our SUVs will destroy the world...

[Deaf and Discerning]

[telescope115]

Wow, 310 hours of data over 10 years…that’s a lot of data!

Now THAT’S dedication!

When he first entered the hobby in 1990 with a 60mm refractor I was already working on my Messier list with a 6” maksutov. In 34 years I still haven’t finished it.