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A.T. Kenter, W. Forman, C. Jones, R.P. Kraft, S.S. Murray, M.S. Elvis, I.N. Evans, G. Fabbiano, T. Isobe, M. Karovska, D.W. Kim, A.H. Prestwich, F.A. Primini, D.A. Schwartz (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
The nearby radio galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) was observed with the High Resolution Camera (HRC) as part of the Orbital Activation and Calibration phase of the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) mission. Centaurus A is often considered to be the prototypical Fanaroff-Riley type I low-luminosity radio galaxy. The proximity of Centaurus A ~3.5mpc has made it amenable to detailed observations which have revealed a complex spatial structure at all wavelengths.
The spatial resolution of the HRC/CXO is better than 1 arcsecond; this alows us to resolve detailed structure which could not be seen with previous X-ray observatories. We have used the high resolution HRC image to make a detailed study of the X-ray emission from the nucleus and jet of this object. In particular, we have examined the nucleus for the presence of any extended emission. We have also made a detailed comparison of the spatial structure of the X-ray emission of the jet with that seen at other wavelengths. The implications for the physical state of the jet and for possible emission mechanisms are discussed. Our data is also suggestive of the presence of an X-ray counter-jet, which has not been previously seen in the X-ray or at any other wavelength.