False-colour optical image of the radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128), showing the great lane of dust which bisects it. Centaurus A is basically a gia

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False-colour optical image of the radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128), showing the great lane of dust which bisects it. Centaurus A is basically a giant elliptical galaxy encircled by a rotating disc of gas and dust which, seen edge-on, forms the dust lane. Radio maps reveal two enormous radio lobes extending fully 10 degrees across the sky and lying at right angles to the dust lane. A giant cluster of hot stars and gas, more luminous than many entire galaxies, lies at the galaxy's centre. Within this, so many astronomers believe, is a black hole, the central \engine\" powering the galaxy. Located some 16 million light years away, Centaurus A is the nearest active galaxy to Earth."

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Size: 4421px × 2908px
Photo credit: © FRED ESPENAK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 5128, active, astronomy, centaurus, cosmology, dust, galactic, galaxy, lane, ngc, science