Centaurus A galaxy (NGC 5128), infrared image from the Spitzer Space Telescope (SST). Infrared images allow astronomers to see behind dust clouds that obscure objects in visible light. The centre of Centaurus A is usually obscured by a massive dust lane, but here is the bright spot at centre. The rectangular line surrounding the centre is thought to be the remains of a galaxy that collided with Centaurus A. Centaurus A is about 10 million light years away in the constellation Centaurus. This image (obtained in 2004) shows infrared emissions between wavelengths of 3.6 and 8.0 microns. Image R670/032 uses different wavelengths to highlight different features of the galaxy.