Spiral galaxy NGC 4945

Seen edge-on, observations of NGC 4945 suggest that this hive of stars is a spiral galaxy much like our own Milky Way, with swirling, luminous arms and a bar-shaped centre. Sites of active star formation, known as HII regions, are seen prominently in the image, appearing bright pink. These resemblances aside, NGC 4945 has a brighter centre that likely harbours a supermassive black hole, which is devouring reams of matter and blasting energy out into space. NGC 4945 is about 13 million light-years away in the constellation of Centaurus (the Centaur) and is beautifully revealed in this image taken with data in five bands (B, V, R, H-alpha and S II) with the 2.2-metre MPG/ESO telescope at La Silla. The field of view is 30 x 30 arcminutes. North is up, East is to the left.

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ESO

Om bilden

ID:eso0931a
Typ:Observation
Publiceringsdatum:2 september 2009
Relaterade pressmeddelanden:eso0931
Storlek:5538 x 5538 px

Om objektet

Namn:NGC 4945
Typ:Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Spiral
Avstånd:13 miljon ljusår
Constellation:Centaurus
Kategori:Galaxies

Mounted Image

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65,1 MB
Stor jpeg
7,4 MB
Skärmstor jpeg
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Koordinater

Position (RA):13 5 27.33
Position (Dec):-49° 28' 3.76"
Field of view:21.96 x 21.96 arcminutes
Orientering:Nord är 0.0° vänster om lodrätt

Färger och filter

BandTeleskop
Synligt ljus
B
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Synligt ljus
V
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Synligt ljus
Sii
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Synligt ljus
H-alpha
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI
Synligt ljus
R
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
WFI