Shells around Centaurus A

This image shows an optical image of the galaxy Centaurus A (from the ESO 1-metre Schmidt telescope at La Silla), with the surrounding shells outlined as contours.

The image has been enhanced to show the full extent of the galaxy; due to this process, the central dust band is less visible. The stellar shells (see the text) are indicated in yellow; they are otherwise only visible on very deep images. The contours of the observed distribution of atomic hydrogen gas are white. The radio jet from the active centre of Centaurus A is shown in blue. The new SEST observations prove the existence of carbon monoxide (CO) in the S1 and S2 shells (indicated in red). The field measures approx. 32 x 32 arcmin 2. North is up and East is left.

A detailed photo of Centaurus A was recently obtained with the FORS2 instrument at VLT KUEYEN, cf. ESO photo release eso0005b