title: A Chandra High-Resolution X-ray Image of Centaurus A.
abstract: We present first results from a Chandra X-Ray Observatory observation of the radio galaxy Centaurus A with the High-Resolution Camera. All previously reported major sources of X-ray emission including the bright nucleus, the jet, individual point sources, and diffuse emission are resolved or detected. The spatial resolution of this observation is better than 1&arcsec; in the center of the field of view and allows us to resolve X-ray features of this galaxy not previously seen. In particular, we resolve individual knots of emission in the inner jet and diffuse emission between the knots. All of the knots are diffuse at the 1&arcsec; level, and several exhibit complex spatial structure. We find the nucleus to be extended by a few tenths of an arcsecond. Our image also suggests the presence of an X-ray counterjet. Weak X-ray emission from the southwest radio lobe is also seen, and we detect 63 pointlike galactic sources (probably X-ray binaries and supernova remnants) above a luminosity limit of approximately 1.7x1037 ergs s-1.
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kenter
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Aldcroft
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Elvis
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabbiano
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Isobe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jerius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karovska
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Prestwich
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Primini
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Schreier
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Vikhlinin