NGC 4565, Needle Galaxy

2008-04-06, Luminance

 

100 %

Image data

Photographer:Jürgen Stöger
Optics:Orion ED80 Apo f/6 with reducer (main)
Scopos ED66 (guide)
Mount:Fornax 51
Cameras:Atik 16HR (main)
Starlight SXV-M7 (guide)
Exposure:Luminance = 130 min.
Conditions:bad transparency, hazy sky
Moon:below horizon during imaging
Location:Katzelsdorf
Date:6 April 2008
Remarks:

NGC 4565 object information

RA: 12h36m20.8s
Dec: +25° 59′ 16″
App. size: 15′.90 × 1′.85
Distance: 42.7 ± 12 Million light years

NGC 4565 (also known as the Needle Galaxy) is an edge-on spiral galaxy about 30 to 50 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. It lies close to the North Galactic Pole and has a visual magnitude of approximately 10. It is known as the Needle Galaxy for its narrow profile. First recorded in 1785 by William Herschel, it is a prominent example of an edge-on spiral galaxy.

IAU and Sky & Telescope