Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Sep 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976apj...208..673v&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, vol. 208, Sept. 15, 1976, pt. 1, p. 673-682. Research supported by the National Research Council of Cana
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
85
Galactic Structure, Radio Galaxies, Stellar Evolution, Ubv Spectra, Astronomical Photometry, Elliptical Galaxies, Galactic Nuclei, Late Stars
Scientific paper
Results are reported for UBV photometry of the galaxy NGC 5128, which has been identified with the radio source Centaurus A. Direct plates obtained with a 4-m telescope reveal the presence of vast numbers of bright blue stars as well as numerous stellar associations and emission nebulae in and along the edges of the dust belt crossing the galaxy. Surface-brightness and color-distribution observations suggest that NGC 5128 is an elliptical galaxy and that a violent burst of star formation took place about 25 million years ago. It is shown that the intrinsic colors of the nucleus can be explained by assuming that the stars there were formed 25 to 30 million years ago; it is argued that if the burst of star formation in the nucleus was triggered by the same event that ejected the outermost parts of Cen A, then the radio source must be expanding with a velocity of about 10,000 km/s. Based on the large quantities of interstellar dust and gas present in NGC 5128, it is concluded that this galaxy is a field elliptical, which cannot be purged of such material by the ram pressure exerted on cluster ellipticals as a result of their motion through the intracluster medium.
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