Map of the Universe
Centaurus A
Galaxy · Radio galaxy in the constellation Centaurus
About Centaurus A
Centaurus A is about 12.39 million light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 12.39 million years ago.
The map lists it as a galaxy and shows it at the scale of the Milky Way and the Local Group, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.
The nearest radio galaxy; its 55-million-sun black hole drives jets and lobes spanning 10 degrees of sky.
Key numbers
| Distance | 12.39 million light-years (3.80 Mpc) |
|---|---|
| Distance method | redshift-independent (literature) |
| Supergalactic coordinates | SGL 159.8°, SGB -5.2° |
Where it is
Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.
Zoom out to see it in context: Council of Giants, a view about 36 million light-years across.
From Wikipedia
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.
Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Centaurus A, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.