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:ESO/Y. Beletsky
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 |
Wallpapers
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 |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Infrared J | New Technology Telescope SOFI |
| Infrared H | New Technology Telescope SOFI |
| Infrared K | New Technology Telescope SOFI |