Centaurus A in Different Wavelengths (Hubble, Spitzer, Chandra, VLA)

Extended Description

A large multi-wavelength image of galaxy Centaurus A appears at left, taking up the bulk of the image. At right is a slim column of four images showing the same object in individual wavelengths of light. From top to bottom: visible light, X-ray light, infrared light, and radio light.

The multi-wavelength image is marked by a prominent, fluffy X shape that takes up about a quarter of the field of view. A wavy, deep pink horizontal line that looks like a tilde forms part of the X and is a combination of visible and infrared light. From 11 o’clock to four o’clock, a lighter pink line that ends in bulbous plumes forms the other side of the X shape, this is a combination of X-ray and radio light. Hazy light brown concentric rings of light extend from the center, each ring becoming more transparent toward the image’s edges.

The background is dotted with stars in a variety of sizes and colors. Large blue stars appear toward the edges of the frame, and many smaller purple stars appear throughout the center. Orange and white stars appear throughout.

In the right-hand column, from top to bottom: The visible light image shows the same horizontal tilde, but its dust lanes are dark brown. The central region is bright, extending like a halo about halfway across the dust lane. A series of dimmer, but still bright circles extend almost to the edges of the frame. The background is dotted with blue and orange stars.

The X-ray light image shows a purple line angled from top left to bottom right, but it is significantly smaller than the line in the multi-wavelength image. There is a slight purple haze that ends in a rounded edge toward the right end. The background is black.

The infrared light image shows a portion of the horizonal tilde in red. It is not quite as long as the multi-wavelength image and takes up more of the central portion. In the red material is a diamond-shaped structure. There is a bright white dot at the center. A few red dots appear toward the bottom right area over the black background.

The radio light image shows the line in the multi-wavelength image that is tilted 11 o’clock to four o’clock. A thin, bright red line and dot in the center connects to fluffy regions at top left and bottom right. The background is black.

Image Alt Text

A large multi-wavelength image of galaxy Centaurus A appears at left, taking up the bulk of the image. At right is a slim column showing the same target in visible light, X-ray light, infrared light, and radio light.