240318 - C38 "Needle" galaxy
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ASTRO:
type=Spiral galaxy (in edge-on view) const=Coma Berenices mag=10.4 dist=43 M ly size=197 k ly IMAGE: location=EB Driveway BrtlCls=4 moon=67% WxGb exposure=CMOS OSC 78x120s (2.6h) EQUIPMENT: camera=ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro optics=ES102 w24mmEP afocal, FL(eff.)=1238mm, f/12.1 (eff.) filter=Optolong L-Pro LPS mount=Celestron AVX guiding=Orion 60x240mm, ZWO ASi224MC SOFTWARE: acquisition=APT, Stellarium, PHD2 processing=PixInsight, RCAstro, PhotoshopCC, APF-R, LrC |
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The Needle Galaxy, also known as Caldwell 38 (or C38) and NGC 4565, is a galaxy located appx 43 M 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 a spiral galaxy viewed edge-on from our perspective here on Earth.
The Needle Galaxy is a giant spiral galaxy more luminous than the Andromeda Galaxy. Due to its edge-on profile, dynamical data on the motions of stars in its central bulge, have not been well understood. Much speculation has existed as to the nature of that region of this galaxy. The bulge's exponential shape suggests that it is a barred spiral galaxy. But modern astronomical techniques with the help of the Spitzer Space Telescope have not only confirmed the presence of a central bar but have also shown a pseudobulge within it as well as an inner ring.
The galaxy has at least two satellite galaxies, one of which is interacting with it; and, it has a population of roughly 240 globular clusters (more than the Milky Way's currently known 147).
The Needle Galaxy is a giant spiral galaxy more luminous than the Andromeda Galaxy. Due to its edge-on profile, dynamical data on the motions of stars in its central bulge, have not been well understood. Much speculation has existed as to the nature of that region of this galaxy. The bulge's exponential shape suggests that it is a barred spiral galaxy. But modern astronomical techniques with the help of the Spitzer Space Telescope have not only confirmed the presence of a central bar but have also shown a pseudobulge within it as well as an inner ring.
The galaxy has at least two satellite galaxies, one of which is interacting with it; and, it has a population of roughly 240 globular clusters (more than the Milky Way's currently known 147).