Caldwell 32 — Galaxy in Canes Venatici
NGC 4631
About Whale Galaxy
Description
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.
Observing Tips
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.
History
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.
Fun Facts
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.
Observe
1Properties
Position & Identifiers
2How easy to spot?
| Telescope | Bortle 3 | Bortle 4 | Bortle 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 mm refractor 80mm refr. | Easy | Medium+ | Medium |
| 150 mm Newton 150mm Newt. | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Celestron C8 (203 mm SCT) C8 203mm | Easy | Easy | Easy |
Bortle 3 = rural · 4 = outer suburbs · 5 = suburbs
3Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
4
Eyepiece View
Whale Galaxy · 14.4′×2.2′ · N up, E left
5
Best Magnification
Explore
6
Surface Brightness
7
Morphology Decoder
8
Inclination & True Shape
9
Redshift
10
Size Comparator
Discover
11
Light Travel Time Machine
12
Relativistic Travel
Community Photos (1)
Credit: NASA, STScI, WikiSky. License: Public domain. (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.
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