NGC5128 Centaurus A in Centaurus

        Object type:             Peculiar (So type) Spiral Galaxy

        Distance from Earth:      14,000,000 light years / 4.3 Mparsecs


        Centaurus A is a peculiar and energetic galaxy in Centaurus.  This
        galaxy is one of the strongest emitters of radio waves in the sky and
        was one of first radio sources discovered when radiotelescopes were
        built in Australia.  Radio astronomers have since learned that
        Centaurus A is a double radio source.  It appears that the visible
        galaxy in the center is ejecting vast amounts of material in opposite
        directions at near the speed of light.  This material, when slowed
        down by collision with intersteller dust and gas then emits radio
        waves through interaction with galactic magnetic fields.
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