WHO: Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is a
galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its core.
WHAT: The giant black hole in Centaurus A is responsible
for the huge jet of material blasting out of the
galaxy, which is seen in X-rays.
WHERE: Centaurus A is located about 14 million light
years from Earth. It is found in the constellation that
shares its name, representing a mythical half-man,
half-horse creature.
WHEN: The dark bands across the center of the galaxy
were likely created when Centaurus A merged with
another galaxy perhaps 100 million years ago. The jet
probably occurred much more recently.
HOW: These jets are thought to be powered by material
falling toward a black hole, combined with the effects
of strong magnetic fields and rapid rotation.
WHY: Astronomers think that these jets are responsible
for transporting vast amounts of energy from
the vicinity of a black hole to the rest of the galaxy
and beyond. This process affects the rate at which
stars form, the black hole grows, and ultimately how
the galaxy evolves.
X-rays from
NASA's Chandra
Optical data
from NASA's Hubble
Radio Data
from VLA
