C77 · galaxy

Centaurus A Galaxy

Centaurus A is a galaxy in the constellation of Centaurus.

RA13h 25m 27sDec−43° 01' 08"

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC. Source: JPL via images.nasa.gov.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: C77
All designations: C77 · NGC 5128 · Centaurus A
Object type: Galaxy
Constellation: Centaurus
Best viewing: Spring

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 13h 25m 27s
Declination (J2000): −43° 01' 08"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —
Redshift (z): 0.001825

III

Visibility tonight

The science

Centaurus A is a galaxy in the constellation of Centaurus. It was discovered in 1826 by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop from his home in Parramatta, in New South Wales, Australia. There is considerable debate in the literature regarding the galaxy's fundamental properties such as its Hubble type and distance. It is the closest radio galaxy to Earth, as well as the closest BL Lac object, so its active galactic nucleus has been extensively studied by professional astronomers. The galaxy is also the fifth-brightest in the sky, making it an ideal amateur astronomy target. It is only visible from the southern hemisphere and low northern latitudes.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0