| Object type: | Peculiar (So type) Spiral Galaxy |
|---|---|
| Distance from Earth: | 14,000,000 light years 4.3 Megaparsecs |
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.