Dinner for Centaurus A

This image of the central parts of Centaurus A reveals the parallelogram-shaped remains of a smaller galaxy that was gulped down about 200 to 700 million years ago. The image is based on data collected with the SOFI instrument on ESO’s New Technology Telescope at La Silla. The original image, obtained by observing in the near-infrared through three different filters (J, H and K) was specially processed to look through the dust, providing a clear view of the centre. The field of view is about 4 x 4 arcminutes.

Credit:

About the Image

Id:eso0944a
Type:Observation
Release date:20 November 2009
Related releases:eso0944
Size:849 x 849 px

About the Object

Name:Centaurus A, NGC 5128
Type:Local Universe : Galaxy : Component : Central Black Hole
Local Universe : Galaxy : Type : Elliptical
Distance:13 million light years
Constellation:Centaurus
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
168.3 KB
Screensize JPEG
167.9 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
181.1 KB
1280x1024
254.6 KB
1600x1200
317.6 KB
1920x1200
338.2 KB
2048x1536
432.6 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):13 25 26.68
Position (Dec):-43° 1' 8.00"
Field of view:4.08 x 4.08 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.2° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Infrared
J
New Technology Telescope
SOFI
Infrared
H
New Technology Telescope
SOFI
Infrared
K
New Technology Telescope
SOFI