Centaurus A (CenA) is one of the brightest galaxies in the night sky. It is an active galaxy, which means that jets of superheated gas travelling at near the speed of light are emanating from the region around the central super-massive black hole (SMBH). These jets are visible when the galaxy is observed in radio or X-ray wavelengths. In this project, you will crochet a replica of Centaurus A as seen in the linked ESO image, which is a composite image made up images taken with three different cameras operating at different wavelengths.

ESO image of Centaurus A: https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso0903a/

In the pattern, as you crochet the different parts of Centaurus A there are notes about what the different parts of the galaxy are from an astronomical perspective.

Materials

• 3.5mm crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Yarn: Schachenmayr Catania Originals in black, orange, blue, and white. (~10m each color)
• Toy stuffing

Size and gauge

• Finished size: ~15 cm
• Gauge: 20 sts in 10 cm using sc.

Stitches Used

• st(s) – stiches
• ch – chain stitch
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
• hdc – half double-crochet
• dc – double crochet

Notes and variations

• Finished size is ~15cm tall. If you vary the gauge, you will get a bigger or smaller Centaurus A.
• In this pattern, the black hole, galactic disk, dust, jets, and lobes are crocheted in rounds. Every round begins by crocheting in the first stitch of the previous round, and every round ends without performing a sl st, unless otherwise noted.