NGC 4696 is a bright galaxy located in the constellation Centaurus. It is classified as a giant elliptical galaxy and is part of the Centaurus Cluster, one of the nearest galaxy clusters to Earth. NGC 4696 is notable for its large size and the presence of a supermassive black hole at its center. The galaxy exhibits a distinct structure, with a prominent dust lane and a halo of hot gas. Observations have revealed that NGC 4696 is surrounded by several smaller galaxies and is an important object for studying galaxy formation and evolution within the Universe.