About C3
Description
NGC 4236 is a barred spiral galaxy in Draco, about 11.7 million light-years away and a member of the M81 group. It is one of the largest galaxies in angular size (over 20 arcminutes long) but has very low surface brightness.
Observing Tips
A difficult target due to extremely low surface brightness. A dark sky site is essential. Use a wide-field telescope at low power to detect this elongated smudge. Averted vision is necessary. Best viewed in spring evenings when Draco is well placed.
History
Discovered by William Herschel on April 6, 1793. Its membership in the M81 galaxy group was confirmed through distance measurements.
Fun Facts
NGC 4236 is one of the galaxies nearest to the Milky Way yet one of the hardest to observe because its light is spread over such a large area. Photographs reveal beautiful HII star-forming regions along its spiral arms.
Observe
1Properties
Position & Identifiers
2How easy to spot?
| Telescope | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 mm refractor 80mm refr. | Hard+ | Hard | V. hard+ |
| 150 mm Newton 150mm Newt. | Medium | Medium | Hard+ |
| Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
3Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
4
Eyepiece View
5
Best Magnification
Explore
6
Surface Brightness
7
Morphology Decoder
8
Inclination & True Shape
9
Blueshift
10
Size Comparator
Discover
11
Light Travel Time Machine
12
Relativistic Travel
Community Photos (1)
Credit: Mattrsmith77. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026
Nearby in the Sky
Other targets within a few degrees — pan your scope a little and keep exploring.
Visibility scores assume a 150 mm Newton at Bortle 4.
Explore Nightbase
Related knowledge, tools, and stories — no observation planning required.
