Centaurus A (or Cen A for short) is a typical elliptical galaxy. Its unusual name comes from radio astronomy; Centaurus A was the first source of radio waves found in the constellation Centaurus.
This visible light picture shows a dark band running around the perimeter of Cen A. Astronomers believe this is a belt of dust around the galaxy which blocks light from the portions of Cen A behind it.
Photo Credit: David Malin; taken with the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian telescope.
© Anglo-Australian Telescope Board.
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