More Images of Cen A
1
Centaurus A (NGC 5128): X Ray -
Optical Comparison
This picture shows the Chandra X-ray image overlaid on
the optical image of Centaurus A. The optical image
shows that Centaurus A is an elliptical galaxy with
huge dust lanes across the middle of the galaxy. This
has led astronomers to speculate that Centaurus A was
the site of a merger between a small spiral galaxy and
a large elliptical galaxy several hundred million years
ago. Such a merger could have provided a large supply
of gas for a central black hole that triggered the
explosive activity observed by X-ray and radio
telescopes. The energetic central region, or nucleus,
is obscured by the dust lanes in optical images, but
shines clearly in X-rays, as do the dramatic jet
structures extending in either direction from the
nucleus well beyond the edges of the galaxy.
X RAY: Chandra X Ray
Observatory/High Resolution Camera image (Credit:
NASA/CXC/SAO)
OPTICAL: Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory
4-meter Blanco telescope image (Credit:
AURA/NOAO/NSF))
2
Centaurus A (NGC 5128): X Ray -
Optical Comparison
X-ray - Optical Composite with scale bar. (Scale bar =
1 arcmin)
X RAY: Chandra X Ray
Observatory/High Resolution Camera image (Credit:
NASA/CXC/SAO)
OPTICAL: Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory
4-meter Blanco telescope image (Credit:
AURA/NOAO/NSF)
3
Chandra X-ray Image with Scale
Bar
Scale bar = 1 arcmin
X RAY: Chandra X Ray
Observatory/High Resolution Camera image(Credit:
NASA/CXC/SAO)
Return to Centaurus A (25
Oct 99)