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c77-1
Hubble · Caldwell 77 · NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration; Acknowledgment: R. O’Connell (University of Virginia) and the WFC3 Scientific Oversight Committee

Centaurus A

Galaxy in Centaurus · 12 million light-years

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TypeGalaxy
ConstellationCentaurus
Right ascension13h 25m 28s
Declination−43° 01′
Object distance12 million light-years
Apparent magnitude7.2
Apparent size25.9′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter90,408 light-years across
Also known asC77 · NGC 5128
Caldwell 77, popularly known as the Centaurus A, is a galaxy (NGC 5128) in the constellation Centaurus — a distant island of stars far beyond the Milky Way. It appears as number 77 in the Caldwell catalogue, Sir Patrick Moore's 1995 list of 109 bright deep-sky objects for amateur astronomers. It spans roughly 25.9 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 7.2, it is a rewarding binocular and small-telescope target.

Although it appears about 25.9′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 90,408 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Centaurus A

Centaurus A lies in the constellation Centaurus and is best placed in the evening sky around April. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the southern hemisphere, and sits low for those far north. It is a comfortable target for binoculars and small telescopes. Note that the listed magnitude is spread across the whole object — diffuse galaxies and nebulae are often harder to see than the number alone suggests, so dark, moonless skies help a great deal.

See Centaurus A in Universe Finder

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