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Centaurus A (NGC 5128) - in Centaurus

Optics TEC APO 110FL with Flattener at f5.6
Mount AstroPhysics 1200GoTo
Camera Moravian G3-16200
Filters Astrodon LRGB
Date 30 May - 4 June 2016
Location Tivoli Astrofarm, Namibia
SQM-L 21.7
Exposure LRGB = 7-2-2.3-2.3
total: 13.7h
FWHM 3.5 arcseconds
Programs used CCDAutoPilot, MaxIm DL, PixInsight, eXcalibrator, Photoshop CS6
Notes Captured within 6 nights. Some high cloud passes.
First light with Moravian G3-16200 sensor.

Centaurus A is a well studied radio galaxy (active galactic nucleus). The central dust lane is the result of the collision and merging with a smaller spiral galaxy. Some features and effects (e.g., triggered star formation) of the relativistic jets can be seen in the image (in the 10-11 o'clock position).

A crop of the center in 150% resolution is given below.

Centaurus A Center

Centaurus A Galaxy

click here for a 75% size image, 3360x2600 (6419KB)



The total luminance image (13.7h) inverted and heavily stretched is given below. The various shells structures of the extended halo are clearly visible. Note there is also a considerable amount of galactical cirrus in this area.

Centaurus A inverted

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