Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Nov 1983
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1983sciam.249...56b&link_type=abstract
Scientific American (ISSN 0036-8733), vol. 249, Nov. 1983, p. 56-66.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
2
Active Galaxies, Centaurus Constellation, Galactic Structure, Radio Emission, Radio Galaxies, Black Holes (Astronomy), Electron Beams, Galactic Nuclei, Photons, Plasma Jets, Synchrotron Radiation, X Rays
Scientific paper
Observed features of the active galaxy Centaurus A are described, and attention is given to the physical processes responsible for the two detected radio lobes. Data have been taken in visible, X ray, and radio wavelengths. Most of the radiation emitted has originated from the loss of energy by electrons through thermal processes in the interstellar gas, synchrotron radiation, and by randomly polarized atomic emission. Cen A displays features of both elliptical and spiral galaxies, with a dust lane in the middle of the ellipse holding hot, newly formed blue stars. Spectroscopic studies of the emission lines of hot gas in Cen A indicate that the source of excited gas is in the center of the galaxy. The radio region has a 2,700,000 light year extent, with a plasma jet directed from the center into the north radio lobe. X ray maps of Cen A suggest a black hole with a mass of a billion suns is the source of the jet. Electrons in the beam could be accelerated by shock waves, turbulence, or collisions with protons.
Burns O. Jr. J.
Price Richard M.
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