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Perseus A: A Monster Galaxy at the Heart of Perseus Cluster
Perseus A


The active galaxy NGC 1275 is also a well-known radio source (Perseus A) and a strong emitter of X-rays due to the presence of a black hole in the center of the galaxy. The behemoth also lies at the center of the cluster of galaxies known as the Perseus Cluster. By combining multi-wavelength images into a single composite, the dynamics of the galaxy are more easily visible. Detail and structure from x-ray, optical and radio wavelengths combine for an aesthetically pleasing, but nonetheless violent depiction of events going on at the heart of the galaxy.

Chandra data from the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) covers X-ray energies from 0.3-7keV. Hubble data from the Advanced Camera for Surveys covers optical wavelengths in the red, green and blue. Radio data from NRAO's Very Large Array at 328 MHz was also used. In the composite image, the X-ray data contribute to the soft violet shells around the outside of the center. The pinkish lobes toward the center of the galaxy are from radio frequencies. The radio emission, tracing jets from the black hole, fills the X-ray cavities. Dust lanes, star-forming regions, hydrogen filaments, foreground stars, and background galaxies are contributions from the Hubble optical data.

Fast Facts for Perseus A:
Credit  X-ray: NASA/CXC/IoA/A.Fabian et al.; Radio: NRAO/VLA/G. Taylor; Optical: NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA) & Univ. of Cambridge/IoA/A. Fabian
Release Date  August 20, 2008
Scale  Image is 3.87 arcmin across.
Category  Groups & Clusters of Galaxies
Coordinates (J2000)  RA 03h 19m 48.10s | Dec +41° 30´ 42"
Constellation  Perseus
Observation Date  August 08 & 10, 2002
Observation Time  54 hours
Obs. ID  3209, 4289
Instrument  ACIS
Also Known As NGC 1275
References A. Fabian et al. Astro-ph/0510476
Color Code  Energy (X-ray: Violet; Radio: Pink; Optical: Red, Green, Blue)
Radio
Optical
X-ray
Distance Estimate  About 250 million light years
distance arrow
Visitor Comments (3)

Wonderful... We can observe more and more how fascinating Universe is.

Posted by André Henrique Bacci on Wednesday, 10.25.17 @ 04:15am


Easily one of the most stunning and beautiful images in astronomy. Chandra time well spent

Posted by Sebastian Heinz on Friday, 06.26.15 @ 16:40pm


Breathtaking and so beautiful.

Posted by Esty Clark on Tuesday, 07.22.14 @ 15:41pm


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