Webb reveals hidden activity in galaxy Centaurus A

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured a detailed mid-infrared image of the galaxy Centaurus A on July 6, 2026, revealing its dusty structures and hidden activity. The image was made public on July 30, 2026.

The image, taken by the telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), exposes the unusual features of Centaurus A, a galaxy located 11 million light-years from Earth. Unlike most nearby galaxies, Centaurus A is highly active, making it a valuable subject for studying the co-evolution of galaxies and their central black holes.

This observation matters because Centaurus A’s proximity and activity provide a unique opportunity to understand galactic processes. The mid-infrared view cuts through dust that obscures visible light, showing regions of star formation and the effects of the supermassive black hole at its core.

The image was processed by Alyssa Pagan and Joseph DePasquale of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), along with Macarena Garcia Marin of the ESA Office at STScI. The data were collected by the James Webb Space Telescope, a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Centaurus A is known for its peculiar appearance, including a prominent dust lane and extensive radio lobes, which are thought to result from a past merger with a smaller galaxy. The new MIRI image adds to a growing body of high-resolution data on this system, following earlier observations by other telescopes.

Researchers plan to use this image to further analyze the interplay between star formation and black hole activity in Centaurus A. An interactive map of the galaxy is available for public exploration, allowing users to examine the details revealed by the Webb telescope.