Whatever you call it...NGC5128, Arp153, Dunlop482, Bennett60, or simply Centaurus A...this highly unusual galaxy is definitely one of the coolest objects in the sky. The processes that made this 1-of-a-kind object are numerous. Astronomers are almost unanimous that this is a collision between a barred galaxy & another of unknown structure. Infrared images still reveal the remnants of a bar buried deep within the current structure.
There is almost certainly a huge blackhole at the center also, since X-ray & millimeter images show enormous jets & radio lobes erupting from the galaxy perpendicular to the very prominent dust lanes. These lobes span a greater distance than the galaxy itself & are one of the strongest sources of radiation in the sky, across several different wavelengths.
Centaurus A was discovered by James Dunlop in 1826, from Australia & is a member of a sub-group of the Virgo Supercluster. Image taken with LightBuckets 24" scope. 1 each LRGB at 3 minutes, binned 1X1.
