# Exploring Centaurus A: A Closer Look at Our Nearest Galaxy
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Chapter 1: Unveiling Centaurus A
Centaurus A, recognized as the fifth-brightest galaxy observable from our planet, has been scrutinized in remarkable detail by scientists utilizing the Event Horizon Telescope.
Recent explorations into Centaurus A have delivered the most detailed visuals of this immense galaxy. Image credits go to Radboud University, ESO/WFI, MPIfR/ESO/APEX/A. Weiß et al., and NASA/CXC/CfA/R. Kraft et al., among others.
At the heart of nearly every galaxy, including Centaurus A, lies a supermassive black hole (SMBH), which can possess millions or even billions of times the mass of our Sun. On April 10, 2019, astronomers unveiled the first detailed image of a black hole, obtained through the Event Horizon Telescope — an international collaboration of radio telescopes. This groundbreaking image illustrated the supermassive black hole located in M87, a supergiant elliptical galaxy situated 54 million light-years from Earth.
Centaurus A, imaged in visible light through the 0.6-meter CHI-1 Telescope in Chile. Image credits to The Cosmic Companion.
In 2017, six hours of observations focused on Centaurus A, an active galaxy only 12 million light-years away, revealed new insights into the SMBH at its core and the jets that shoot away from it. Researchers noted, “In comparison to earlier studies, we captured the jet of Centaurus A at a frequency ten times higher and with sixteenfold sharper resolution, allowing us to explore structures smaller than 26 billion kilometers. Our findings suggest that the source structure of Centaurus A closely resembles the jet observed in Messier 87.”
Newly detailed images of Centaurus A from the Event Horizon Telescope. Image credits to Radboud University, CSIRO/ATNF/I. Feain et al., R. Morganti et al., N. Junkes et al., and others.
Section 1.1: The Dynamics of Black Holes
As materials spiral into supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, they can accelerate to a significant fraction of the speed of light, producing vast amounts of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves. Under optimal conditions, this can cause the core of the galaxy to outshine the rest of its components. The most extreme cases can lead to the formation of an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN), with the most intense examples classified as quasars.
Astronomers are utilizing the Event Horizon Telescope to delve deeper into Centaurus A and the massive jets emanating from its SMBH in unprecedented detail. “For the first time, we can observe and study an extragalactic radio jet at scales smaller than the distance light travels in one day. We witness firsthand the birth of a colossal jet launched by a supermassive black hole,” states astronomer Michael Janssen.
This examination of emissions at 1.3 mm unveiled new characteristics of Centaurus A, indicating that its edges are brighter than its center. The analysis strongly suggests that the jets originate directly from the vicinity surrounding the SMBH. Researchers are hopeful that observations at shorter wavelengths with enhanced resolution could produce an image of the SMBH within Centaurus A, akin to the one captured of M87 two years ago.
And such an image would undoubtedly be worth the wait!
The first video, "The most bizarre galaxy we can see is a KILLER - Centaurus A," explores the unique features and characteristics of this fascinating galaxy.
The second video, "This Is What Centaurus A Galaxy Looks Like From Earth (In Radio)," provides a visual representation of Centaurus A from a radio astronomy perspective.
Chapter 2: The Future of Galactic Exploration
James Maynard, the founder and publisher of The Cosmic Companion, resides in Tucson, Arizona, alongside his wife, Nicole, and their cat, Max.
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