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> Barred spiral galaxy NGC 4945 in Centaurus

Barred spiral galaxy NGC 4945 in Centaurus

author: ESO/Novapix

reference: a-gax49-45001

Image Size 300 DPI: 16 * 16 cm

NGC 4945 is a barred spiral galaxy in the Centaurus Group of galaxies, located only six times farther away than the prominent Andromeda Galaxy. The thin disk galaxy is oriented nearly edge-on, and shrouded in dark dust. NGC 4945 is thought to be quite similar to our own Milky Way Galaxy. X-ray observations reveal, however, that NGC 4945 has an unusual, energetic, Seyfert 2 nucleus that might house a large black hole. Image obtained by the 2.2m MPG telescope at La Silla observatory.

Keywords for this photo:

1999 - ASTRONOMY - BARRED SPIRAL GALAXY - CENTAURUS - GALAXY - LA SILLA - MPG/ESO 2.2m - NGC 4945 - SBc - SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - STAR -