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Whale Galaxy

NGC 4631

Galáxia Excelente (72/100)

Barred Spiral

C32 Galaxy Canes Venatici Visível Nível 4 Large telescope (10"+) - Dark skies recommended
Credit: NASA, STScI, WikiSky. License: Public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Propriedades

Magnitude 9.3
Tamanho Angular 14.4′ × 2.2′
Ângulo de Posição 86°
Distância 22000000 ly
Tipo de Galáxia Barred Spiral (SBcd)
Spiral Galaxy [Distance: 22000000 ly]

Posição e Identificadores

RA 12h 42m 07.9s
Dec +32° 32' 31.2"
Constelação Canes Venatici
Catálogo C32

Visibilidade

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Sobre Whale Galaxy

Descrição

The Whale Galaxy (NGC 4631) is an edge-on barred spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici, about 25 million light-years away. Its warped, wedge-shaped profile resembles a whale or herring, and it has a small companion galaxy, NGC 4627, riding above it like a calf.

Dicas de Observação

Visible as an elongated streak in a 6-inch telescope. An 8-inch scope shows the asymmetric shape and brighter central region. NGC 4656 (the Hockey Stick Galaxy) lies half a degree to the southeast. Best in spring evenings.

História

Discovered by William Herschel on March 20, 1787. Radio observations revealed an enormous hydrogen halo extending far above and below the disk, suggesting vigorous star formation activity.

Curiosidades

The Whale Galaxy has a massive radio halo of hot gas extending up to 25,000 light-years above and below its disk, likely driven by supernovae. Its companion NGC 4627 is a dwarf elliptical galaxy physically associated with it.

Fotos da Comunidade (1)

Credit: NASA, STScI, WikiSky. License: Public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: NASA, STScI, WikiSky. License: Public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Mar 2, 2026