NGC 4631 (also known as the Whale Galaxy or Caldwell 32) is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici about 30 million light years away from Earth. It was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel. This galaxy’s slightly distorted wedge shape gives it the appearance of a herring or a whale, hence its nickname. Because this nearby galaxy is seen edge-on from Earth, professional astronomers observe this galaxy to better understand the gas and stars located outside the plane of the galaxy.
NGC 4656/57 is a highly warped edge-on barred spiral galaxy located in the local universe 30 million light years away from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici. This galaxy is sometimes called the Hockey Stick Galaxy or the Crowbar Galaxy. Its unusual shape is thought to be due to an interaction between NGC 4656, NGC 4631, and NGC 4627. The galaxy is a member of the NGC 4631 Group.
Object Designations: NGC4631
Also known as: Whale Galaxy
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Object Type: barred spiral galaxy
Distance: 30 million light-years away
Magnitude: 9.8
Discovery: William Herschel
Object Designations: NGC 4656 and NGC 4657
Also known as: Hockey Stick Galaxy or the Crowbar Galaxy
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Object Type: barred spiral galaxy
Distance: 30 million light-years away
Magnitude: 9.8
Discovery: William Herschel
Telescope: Apertura CarbonStar 200 Imaging Newtonian 800mm / F4
Camera: ZWO ASI2600 MC Pro – No Filter
Mount: Celestron AVX – With CPWI Software
Guiding: Apertura 32mm Guide Scope with a ZWO ASI120MM Camera and PHD2
SharpCap Imaging Software
Processing Software
AstroSharp Ltd SharpCap
Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight
Russell Croman Astrophotography BlurXTerminator
Russell Croman Astrophotography NoiseXTerminator
Russell Croman Astrophotography StarXTerminator
Stanley Dimant EZ Processing Suite
This final image is:
20 – 240 second subs at 100 gain, no filter
White Bal (B) = 68
White Bal (R )= 99
Brightness = 12
Camera Temperature = -9.9
LastPlateSolveData=Plate solve result was RA=12:43:23.5,Dec=+32:24:35 with mount at RA=12:43:23.9,Dec=+32:24:35, FOV 1.757×1.175 degrees, up is 90.15 degrees East of North
