Spectacular
49. view of Centaurus A
Centaurus A, also known as NGC 5128, is well known for its dramatic dusty lanes of dark material.
Hubble’s new observations, using its most advanced instrument, the Wide Field Camera 3, are the
most detailed ever made of this galaxy. They have been combined here in a multi-wavelength
image which reveals never-before-seen detail in the dusty portion of the galaxy.
As well as features in the visible spectrum, this composite shows ultraviolet light, which comes from
young stars, and near-infrared light, which lets us glimpse some of the detail otherwise obscured by
the dust.
Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration
“Hubble’s predecessor in many ways was a little telescope called
International Ultraviolet Explorer. When it was deactivated in 1996, its
final observation was a repeat of its first observation in 1978. We’d like
to see Hubble do the same thing, repeat its first observation.”
— Dr. Bradley M. Peterson & Dr. Gisella De Rosa
Professor and Chair of Astronomy
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Visiting Astronomer
Space Telescope Science Institute
Baltimore, Maryland