NGC 5128

NGC 5128 = ESO 270-009 = MCG -07-28-001 = Arp 153 = Centaurus A = PGC 46957
13 25 27.6 -43 01 09
V = 6.8;  Size 25.7x20.0;  SB = 13.5;  PA = 35d

12" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): at 186x, Centaurus A appeared very bright with 
a large, prominent dust lane cutting a dark swath through the center from NW-SE.  
The SW hemisphere is a bit larger and more prominent and contains a bright star.  
There is a mag 12 star within the dust lane (west of center) with two very faint 
stars at both NW and SW borders of the lane.  Some haze is evident near the 
center of the rift, following the star superimposed on the lane.

20" f/5 (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): at 230x, Cen A nearly fills the field (15' 
diameter).  The 15'x1' dark rift is fascinating with a scalloped, wavy edge and 
faint haze is easily visible near the center within the rift.  This was easily 
the most detailed view I've ever had of Cen A.

17.5": bright, large, very large prominent dust lane oriented NW-SE.  The SW 
hemisphere dominates in size and brightness.  A star is superimposed at the 
south edge of the dust lane (west of center) and a bright star is superimposed 
on the SW hemisphere (south of center).

13": wide dust lane bisects galaxy.  A very faint star is at the SW edge of the 
dust lane.

- by Steve Gottlieb