NGC 4631 - The Whale Galaxy - Barred Spiral GalaxyNGC 4631, also known as the
WhaleGalaxy, is a magnitude +9.3 edge-on barred spiral galaxy in the constellation of Canes Venatici. It has a high surface brightness and therefore is a good target for small scopes. Larger instruments reveal numerous dust clumps and mottling. The central region of NGC 4631 is a starburst region, where intensive star formation is currently taking place.William Herschel discovered the Whale Galaxy on March 20, 1787. It's located 28 million light-years away,120,000 in diameter with over 400 billion stars. It is best seen from northern latitudes during the months of March, April or May.
NGC 4657 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.=10.5px The galaxy is a member of the
NGC 4631 GroupInformation Credits:
freestarcharts.comTelescope: Explorer Scientific 127mm CF APO Refractor f/7.5 (952mm Focal Length)
Explore Scientific X0.7 Reducer f/5.25 (667mm Focal Length)
Mount IOptron CEM40
Camera ZWOASI6200MC-Pro Temp -10C, Binning 1 x 1, Gain 100 Offset 50
ZWO EFW
60 X 180 Second Exposures W/Optolong L-Pro Filter
29 X 300 Second Exposures W/Optolong L-Pro Filter
20 Dark Frames/20 Flat Frames
Total Integration Time: 5 Hours 25 Minutes
Acquisition with SharpCap
Stacked with Astro Pixel Processor
Stacked with Deep Sky Stacker
Stacked with AutoStakkert
Guiding PHD2
Processed with Astra Image
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