NGC 4565, often called the “Needle Galaxy,” is a striking edge-on spiral galaxy located about 40 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Coma Berenices. Its slender, needle-like appearance comes from our view of the galaxy from the side, revealing a thin, flat disk with a bright central bulge and a dust lane that cuts across it.
Discovered by William Herschel in 1785, NGC 4565 is considered a prototypical example of a spiral galaxy viewed edge-on. It is a member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, which is part of the larger Coma-Sculptor Cloud. The galaxy stretches about 100,000 light-years across, similar in size to our own Milky Way.
NGC 4565’s central bulge is home to a dense concentration of stars, and its dust lanes—regions rich in gas and dust—are active sites for star formation. The galaxy’s flat structure suggests it has a relatively calm history, with fewer galactic collisions compared to other galaxies, allowing it to maintain its thin, disk-like shape.
For astronomers, NGC 4565 is an important object of study as it offers a view into the structural components of spiral galaxies, including their bulges, disks, and halo regions. Its clear, edge-on position allows for detailed study of these elements and helps deepen our understanding of galactic evolution and structure.
Due to its brightness and striking appearance, NGC 4565 is a popular target for amateur astronomers, particularly through medium-sized telescopes.
Capture Details:
Telescope: Celestron Nexstar 8se
Reducer/Flattener: Celestron .63x Reducer/Flattener
Filter: Optolong L-Pro
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro
Mount: Skywatcher EQM-35 Pro
Total Time:
Capture Software: N.I.N.A.
Guiding: PHD2, ZWO asi120mm mini, ZWO OAG-L
Processed in: PixInsight
Additional details on Astrobin.com.