NGC 4565 the Needle Galaxy

NGC 4565 the Needle Galaxy

 

NGC 4565 (also known as the Needle Galaxy or Caldwell 38) is an edge-on spiral galaxy about 30 to 50 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. It lies close to the North Galactic Pole and has a visual magnitude of approximately 10. It is known as the Needle Galaxy for its narrow profile. First recorded in 1785 by William Herschel, it is a prominent example of an edge-on spiral galaxy.

 

NGC 4565 is a giant spiral galaxy more luminous than the Andromeda Galaxy. Much speculation exists in literature as to the nature of the central bulge. In the absence of clear-cut dynamical data on the motions of stars in the bulge, the photometric data alone cannot adjudge among various options put forth. However, its exponential shape suggested that it is a barred spiral galaxy. Studies with the help of the Spitzer Space Telescope not only confirmed the presence of a central bar but also showed a pseudobulge within it as well as an inner ring.

 

NGC 4565 has at least two satellite galaxies, one of which is interacting with it. It has a population of roughly 240 globular clusters, more than the Milky Way.

 

This edge-on galaxy exhibits a slightly warped and extended disk under deep optical surveys- likely due to ongoing interactions with neighboring satellite galaxies or other galaxies in the Coma I group. (Wikipedia.org)

 

Technical Information for Image

 

Telescope: William Optics Zenithstar 81 Refractor

Mount: iOptron CEM25P

Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro Gain 120 -5C

Filter: Optolong L-Pro

Guiding: William Optics 50mm, 200mm FL, ASI290MC camera

Exposures: 42 x 180s each Bin 1x1

Capture: ASIAIR Pro

Guiding: ASIAIR Pro through ASI290MC camera

Polar Alignment: ASIAIR Pro

Site: Pinyon Pines, CA USA, Bortle 4

Processing: Pixinsight with Touch up in Corel PaintShop Pro.

Done