- G120 minutes (24 frames)
- B110 minutes (22 frames)
- R135 minutes (27 frames)
- L170 minutes (34 frames)
The Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565), also known as the "Needle Galaxy" or Caldwell 38, is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices. The galaxy is seen edge-on and has a characteristic narrow profile resembling a needle, which is where it gets its name.
Description and structure
The Needle Galaxy is located 40 million light-years from Earth and has a diameter of about 100,000 light-years. It is a typical spiral galaxy, but with an unusual feature - its diameter is ten times its thickness. This makes it one of the flattest galaxies known to astronomers.
The galaxy was discovered by William Herschel on April 6, 1785, and has since become a prime example of an edge-on spiral galaxy.
Central Region and Satellites
The Needle Galaxy is a giant spiral galaxy, brighter than the Andromeda Galaxy. Studies of the galaxy's central region revealed a central bar and pseudo-nucleus, indicating that it is a drum spiral galaxy. These features were confirmed by observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope, and an inner ring around the bar was also discovered.
The Needle Galaxy also has at least two satellites, one of which is in the process of interacting with the main galaxy. It also contains approximately 240 globular clusters, more than our own Milky Way.
Interactions and Radio Observations
The Needle Galaxy is part of the Coma I Group and its disk is slightly distorted, likely due to interactions with nearby galaxies. Ultraviolet galaxy images show a slight distortion at the edge of the galaxy's disk.
LOW-Frequency ARray (LOFAR)** observations have revealed a radio halo around NGC 4565, as well as a warp in radio waves. This effect is due to the warping of the galaxy, likely due to more intense star formation in the past. Research has shown that the distortion in radio frequencies may be due to a more intense star formation history in the past.
Observations and Astrophotography
The Needle Galaxy is an object of interest to astrophotographers, as its narrow profile and flat structure create interesting visual effects. It is also a good object for studying spiral galaxies and their interactions with nearby objects.
| Photo | Date | Frames | Exposure | L | R | G | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 01 Oct 2021 | 107 | 08:55 | 02:50 | 02:15 | 02:00 | 01:50 |
 | 10 May 2021 | 107 | 08:55 | 02:50 | 02:15 | 02:00 | 01:50 |
Visibility chart of Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565) during the day
| Date | Moon Phase | Exposure | CCD Temperature | Gain | Offset | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 2023ixf•
- 40 Eri•
- Abell 74•
- Artemis A868 SA•
- a Canis Minoris•
- C 2020 R4 ATLAS•
- C 2020 T2 Palomar•
- C 2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)•
- Haumea (2003 EL61)•
- HCG 68•
- HCG 92•
- IC 1318B•
- IC 1396•
- IC 1795•
- IC 1805•
- IC 1848•
- IC 1871•
- IC 3322A•
- IC 342•
- IC 4015•
- IC 405•
- IC 417•
- IC 434•
- IC 443•
- IC 4703•
- IC 5070•
- IC 5146•
- IC 63•
- M 1•
- M 101•
- M 103•
- M 109•
- M 13•
- M 15•
- M 27•
- M 3•
- M 33•
- M 42•
- M 45•
- M 5•
- M 51•
- M 57•
- M 63•
- M 64•
- M 74•
- M 76•
- M 81•
- M 82•
- M 86•
- M 87•
- M 94•
- M 97•
- NGC 147•
- NGC 1491•
- NGC 1499•
- NGC 1579•
- NGC 1961•
- NGC 2146•
- NGC 2239•
- NGC 2403•
- NGC 281•
- NGC 4236•
- NGC 4565•
- NGC 4631•
- NGC 507•
- NGC 508•
- NGC 5866•
- NGC 5907•
- NGC 6503•
- NGC 6823•
- NGC 6888•
- NGC 6946•
- NGC 6992•
- NGC 6995•
- NGC 7000•
- NGC 7023•
- NGC 7129•
- NGC 7217•
- NGC 7331•
- NGC 7380•
- NGC 7538•
- NGC 7635•
- NGC 7640•
- NGC 7822•
- NGC 891•
- NGC 896•
- NGC 925•
- PGC 54559•
- Sh2-155•
- Sh2-168•
- Sh2 103•
- Sh2 109•
- Sh2 132•
- T CrB•
- UGC 6930•
- V1405 Cas•
- Vesta A807 FA•