NGC 4565: Galaxy on Edge
Explanation:
Is our Milky Way Galaxy this thin?
Magnificent spiral galaxy
NGC 4565
is viewed edge-on from planet Earth.
Also known as the Needle Galaxy for its narrow profile, bright
NGC 4565 is a stop on many telescopic tours of the northern sky,
in the faint but well-groomed
constellation
Coma
Berenices.
This
sharp, colorful image reveals the spiral galaxy's
boxy, bulging
central core cut by
obscuring dust lanes that lace
NGC 4565's thin galactic plane.
An assortment of other
background galaxies is included
in the pretty field of view.
Thought similar in shape to our own
Milky Way Galaxy,
NGC 4565 lies about 40 million
light-years distant and spans
some 100,000 light-years.
Easily spotted with small telescopes,
sky enthusiasts consider
NGC 4565 to be a prominent celestial
masterpiece
Messier missed.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
