Currently, sci.esa.int is under review and not being updated. For the latest information and news from ESA science missions and scientific results, please visit esa.int. For a comprehensive overview of ESA’s Science Programme and its missions, please refer to science.esa.int. For in-depth technical information aimed at ESA's scientific communities, you may also wish to consult cosmos.esa.int.

Asset Publisher

Back Dusty filaments in NGC 4696

Dusty filaments in NGC 4696


Date: 30 November 2016
Satellite: Hubble Space Telescope
Depicts: NGC 4696
Copyright: NASA, ESA/Hubble, A. Fabian

This picture, taken by Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), shows NGC 4696, the largest galaxy in the Centaurus Cluster.

The new images taken with Hubble show the dusty filaments surrounding the centre of this huge galaxy in greater detail than ever before. These filaments loop and curl inwards in an intriguing spiral shape, swirling around the supermassive black hole at such a distance that they are dragged into and eventually consumed by the black hole itself.

Last Update: 1 September 2019
8-Feb-2026 10:20 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/84e1ZJA

Latest Selection

Also Available As

Related Images

Related Videos

Caption & Press Release

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation