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Multiwavelength Images of Centaurus A
A dramatic new Chandra image of the nearby galaxy Centaurus A provides one of the best views to date of the effects of an active supermassive black hole. Opposing jets of high-energy particles can be seen extending to the outer reaches of the galaxy, and numerous smaller black holes in binary star systems are also visible. This multi-panel shows the Chandra image in context with radio and optical data.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al; Radio: NSF/VLA/Univ.Hertfordshire/M.Hardcastle; Optical: ESO/WFI/M.Rejkuba et al.)
A dramatic new Chandra image of the nearby galaxy Centaurus A provides one of the best views to date of the effects of an active supermassive black hole. Opposing jets of high-energy particles can be seen extending to the outer reaches of the galaxy, and numerous smaller black holes in binary star systems are also visible. This multi-panel shows the Chandra image in context with radio and optical data.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al; Radio: NSF/VLA/Univ.Hertfordshire/M.Hardcastle; Optical: ESO/WFI/M.Rejkuba et al.)
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Individual images
These multiwavelength images show the galaxy Centaurus A. Pictured: the radio image from the Very Large Array, the optical image from the ESO's Wide-Field Imager (WFI) camera at the ESO/MPG 2.2-m telescope on La Silla, Chile, and a combined X-ray, optical and radio version.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al; Radio: NSF/VLA/Univ.Hertfordshire/M.Hardcastle; Optical: ESO/WFI/M.Rejkuba et al.)
These multiwavelength images show the galaxy Centaurus A. Pictured: the radio image from the Very Large Array, the optical image from the ESO's Wide-Field Imager (WFI) camera at the ESO/MPG 2.2-m telescope on La Silla, Chile, and a combined X-ray, optical and radio version.
(Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al; Radio: NSF/VLA/Univ.Hertfordshire/M.Hardcastle; Optical: ESO/WFI/M.Rejkuba et al.)
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Chandra X-ray Image of Centaurus A, Labeled
This labeled image highlights some of the important features of the Chandra X-ray Observatory image of Centaurus A. At the center of the galaxy is where the active nucleus and the launching point for a jet are featured. Particles in the jet and radiation from the active nucleus are both powered by a supermassive black hole. To the upper left the jet is shown, and the shorter "counterjet" points in the opposite direction.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al.)
This labeled image highlights some of the important features of the Chandra X-ray Observatory image of Centaurus A. At the center of the galaxy is where the active nucleus and the launching point for a jet are featured. Particles in the jet and radiation from the active nucleus are both powered by a supermassive black hole. To the upper left the jet is shown, and the shorter "counterjet" points in the opposite direction.
(Credit: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al.)
Return to Centaurus A (January 09, 2008)
Revised: December 01, 2022