2002/05/28 by M. Karovska, G. Fabbiano, F. Nicastro +3 · 29 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Active galactic nucleus #Arc (geometry) #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Circular symmetry #Dust lane #Emission spectrum #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Observatory #Outflow #Radio galaxy #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/342126
published in The Astrophysical Journal 577(1), 114-119 (IOP Publishing) · 8 pages, three color figures, to be published in ApJ September 20, 2002 issue
arxiv created 2002/05/28 · openalex publication_date 2002/09/20 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We describe results from our initial study of the diffuse X-ray emission structures in NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) using the Chandra X-ray Observatory observations. The high angular resolution Chandra images reveal multiscale X-ray structures with unprecedented detail and clarity. The large-scale structures suggest complex symmetry, including a component possibly associated with the inner radio lobes, and a separate component with an orthogonal symmetry that may be associated with the galaxy as a whole. We detect arclike soft X-ray structures, extending to ~8 kpc in the direction perpendicular to the jet. These arcs appear to be tracing an ellipse, or a ring seen in projection, and are enclosed between the dust and H I-emitting gas in the central region of the galaxy and the optical and H I shell fragments at a distance of about 8-10 kpc. The diffuse X-ray and the optical emission in the arcs could originate in a region of interaction (possibly a shock) between the infalling material from the outer regions of the galaxy and the cool dust and H I-emitting material in the center or from an equatorial outflow resulting from an outburst of nuclear activity ~10 7 yr ago.