Spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici
This nearly edge-on spiral galaxy has an asymmetrical shape that gives rise to its nickname, the Whale Galaxy. It is also known as the Herring Galaxy and Cadwell 32. The central region of this galaxy, which has a reddish hue in this image, is known to be a place of very active star formation.
Just above it is a companion dwarf elliptical galaxy, NGC 4627, whose gravitational influence may be responsible for the larger galaxy's slightly distorted shape.
| Magnitude | 9.8 |
| Apparent Size | 15.5' x 2.7' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 25 million |
| Right Ascension | 12:42.1 |
| Declination | +32 32 |
| Field of view | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 57 minutes luminance, 45 minutes red, 45 minutes green, and 30 minutes blue, taken with an SBIG ST-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
June 2018