Q506384

Also known as New General Catalogue 4631, Whale Galaxy, Caldwell 32, C 32

spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici

Key facts

Constellation: Canes Venatici
Right ascension: 12 42 08.0
Declination: +32 ° 32 ′ 29 ″
Redshift: 606 ± 3 km/ s
Distance: 30 Mly
Type: SB(s)d
Apparent size v: 15′.5 × 2′.7
Notable features: edge-on

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: N4631s.jpg

Sources (2)

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Article

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 on 20 March 1787 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.

Starburst and superwind