NGC 4565: Galaxy on Edge
Image Credit & Copyright: Lóránd Fényes
Explanation: Is our Galaxy this thin? We believe so. 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 galaxy's 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, with neighboring galaxy NGC 4562 at the upper left. NGC 4565 itself 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.
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