Centaurus A
NGC 5128
Lenticular
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
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Survey Image
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About Centaurus A
Description
Centaurus A (NGC 5128) is the nearest giant radio galaxy, about 12 million light-years away in Centaurus. It is a peculiar elliptical galaxy with a dramatic dark dust lane bisecting its bright body, the result of a past merger with a spiral galaxy. It hosts one of the most powerful active galactic nuclei in the nearby universe.
Observing Tips
One of the southern sky's showpiece objects. Visible in binoculars as a bright, round glow. A 6-inch telescope clearly shows the dark dust lane cutting across the galaxy. Best from southern and tropical latitudes in spring and summer evenings.
History
Discovered by James Dunlop on August 4, 1826 from Australia. It was identified as a strong radio source in 1949 and became one of the first radio galaxies known. Its jets were later detected at radio, X-ray, and optical wavelengths.
Fun Facts
Centaurus A harbors a supermassive black hole of about 55 million solar masses that powers enormous radio jets extending over a million light-years. The dust lane is the remnant of a spiral galaxy consumed several hundred million years ago.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: ESO/WFI (Optical); MPIfR/ESO/APEX/A.Weiss et al. (Submillimetre); NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al. (X-ray). License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026