NGC 5128

13.7 million light-years

Located in the constellation Centaurus (the centaur), NGC 5128 emits strong radio radiation and is one of the closest of this type of galaxies to the Milky Way. This view in visible light shows that NGC 5128 is a giant elliptical galaxy with a band of dust and other cool material across the centre. Astronomers discovered that this galaxy is undergoing an intense burst of star formation, most likely caused by a collision with another galaxy billions of years ago.

Credit: Capella Observatory / Ciel et Espace.

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