James Webb telescope captures unprecedented view of galaxy Centaurus A

NASA released the most detailed image ever recorded of the nearby galaxy Centaurus A, located about 11 million light‑years from Earth. The infrared view, taken with the James Webb Space Telescope to mark the fourth anniversary of its first images, reveals the galaxy’s dust‑shrouded core, millions of previously hidden stars, and complex structures formed by a massive collision roughly two billion years ago. Scientists note the presence of a central supermassive black hole actively feeding on surrounding material, driving powerful jets and shaping star formation. The new data allow researchers to study gas motions, ionized outflows, and a warped dust disc, providing unprecedented insight into how black holes influence galaxy evolution. The release underscores Webb’s capability to peer through dust that obscured earlier observatories such as Hubble, opening a new era of detailed galactic archaeology.