Centaurus A Galaxy (NGC 5128)

clic for 85% size 1200 x 936 (317 kB)

clic here for 140% size 1800 x 1350 (540 kB)

clic here for a full frame image in 50% size 1842 x 1238 (733 kB)


About this Image

The Centaurus A galaxy is situated in the M83 group of galaxies. It is one of the most investigated and peculiar galaxies in the sky, and is a strong source of radiation in all frequency ranges; it is actually the nearest radio galaxy. A supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy is exciting the surrounding areas to emit various kinds of powerful radiation.
It is of intermediate type between elliptical and disk (spiral) galaxies. The main body has all characteristics of a large elliptical, but a pronounced dust belt is superimposed well over the center, forming a disk plane around this galaxy. The distance to the galaxy is approximately 15 million light years.

A very interesting item for scientific research is the very extended star halo that spans far out of the galaxy. Additionally blue tidal streams have been found in the outer areas.
North is left.

References:
Centaurus-A in various wavelenghts: 1.
Professional images and details: 2.
AAO deep images (Halo): 3.
Blue tidal streams: 4.

Below you find a mouse-over comparison of full frame normal Centaurus-A image with a drastically enhanced image in 20% size to show the wide extended galactic star halo.


CENT-A_TEC_20


Technical Details
Optics

TEC-140 APO refractor with TEC flattener at f/7;
center area L frames are taken in addition with a Fluorit Flatfield Corrector at f/16

Mount AP-400 GEM
Camera SBIG STL-11000M at -20C, internal filter wheel
Filters Astronomik LRGB
Date May 25-27, 2006.
Location Hakos/Namibia
Sky Conditions mag 7 sky, temperature 12-15 C, good seeing
Exposure LRGB= 180:40:30:40 min (10-minute sub-exposures at f/7);
L= 60 min at f/16.
Processing Image aquisition and calibration in Maxim DL 4.11;
Photoshop: color balance, curves, unsharp mask, noise handling