Centaurus A galaxy. Coloured Chandra X-ray telescope image of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128). Its bright centre, the active galaxy nucle

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Centaurus A galaxy. Coloured Chandra X-ray telescope image of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128). Its bright centre, the active galaxy nucleus (AGN, centre) is seen. From the AGN streams a jet of energetic particles (upper left). Also seen are many point X-ray sources (white). These are believed to be binary systems containing neutron stars or black holes. Comparing the X- ray binaries in Centaurus A with those in other, similar galaxies, has revealed important differences, which may improve our understanding of the evolutionary history of galaxies. Image taken by the advanced CCD imaging spectrometer.

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Size: 3564px × 2516px
Photo credit: © CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATORY/NASA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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