[madbadgalaxyman (Robert)]

Low contrast structures in the halo of NGC 5128, using an adaptive histogram equalization filter applied to a B+V+R image, as described in Peng et al., 2002, Astronomical Journal, 124, 3144 ( http://iopscience.iop.org/1538-3881/124/6/3144/fulltext )




Note the shell structures (typical of ellipticals which have merged with a smaller galaxy), and also note some regions with blue knots (recent star formation) which are believed to be young stars formed from the interaction of the plasma jet with the interstellar gas in this galaxy.

The blue knots of stars formed by jet/ISM interactions have been seen in some IIS members' images of this galaxy.

Centaurus A is a very complex and intriguing critter.......
The recent literature about this galaxy is so copious that reading it is the mental equivalent of "drinking from a firehose".