Centaurus A

A mere 11 million light-years away, Centaurus A is the closest active Galaxy to planet Earth.

Spanning over 60,000 light-years, the peculiar elliptical galaxy also known as NGC 5128, is featured in this sharp Astrophotography telescopic view. Centaurus A is apparently the result of a collision of two otherwise normal galaxies resulting in a fantastic jumble of Star Clusters and imposing dark Cosmic Dust lanes.

Near the galaxy’s center, leftover cosmic debris is steadily being consumed by a central Black Hole with a billion times the mass of the Sun. As in other active galaxies, that process likely generates the enormous radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray energy radiated by Centaurus A.

The scene is a true example of Celestial Astronomical Wonders and the mysteries of Deep Space.