Galaxy in Virgo
This is a spiral galaxy in the Virgo galaxy cluster that we see almost edge-on. Its dark dust lane can be seen cutting across the center of the disk, and its bright central bulge is prominent. NGC 4216 is estimated to be about 100,000 light years in diameter, roughly the same size as our own Milky Way galaxy.
By coincidence, the two other largest galaxies in this image are also seen in an edge-on orientation. To the upper left is NGC 4222, and to the lower right is NGC 4206. These galaxies are dimmer and more distant, but the can be spotted through large amateur telescopes.
| Magnitude | 9.9 |
| Apparent Size | 7.8' x 1.8' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 45 million |
| Right Ascension | 12:15.9 |
| Declination | +13 09 |
| Field of View | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 48 minutes luminance and 30 minutes each of red, green, and blue, taken with an SBIG ST-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
June 2018