- G40 minutes (8 frames)
- R40 minutes (8 frames)
- H10 minutes (2 frames)
- B30 minutes (6 frames)
The Whale Galaxy (NGC 4631), also known as the Whale Galaxy or Rail Galaxy, is a spectacular object in the night sky located in the constellation Hair Berenices. Named for its unusual shape, the galaxy resembles the silhouette of a swimming whale.
Description and Structure
The Whale Galaxy is a spiral galaxy with a distinctive dust disk that extends through its center. This dust disk is an active star-forming region and contains young star clusters. However, the galaxy has long spiral arms that extend along its disk. The galaxy is located at a distance of about 25 million light-years from Earth and has a diameter of about 80,000 light-years.
Star formation and superwind
The Whale Galaxy is an object of intense study by astronomers, as it provides a unique opportunity to study the processes of star formation. At the center of the galaxy is a star burst, which is a region of intense star formation. Strong star formation is visible by the emission of ionized hydrogen and interstellar dust heated by stars. In addition, as a result of these processes, explosive formation of supernovae occurs in the center of the galaxy, which eject gas beyond the plane of the galaxy, creating the so-called superwind. This superwind can be observed in X-rays.
Interactions with nearby galaxies
The Whale Galaxy is part of the NGC 4631 Group, which also includes galaxies such as NGC 4627 (a dwarf elliptical galaxy), NGC 4656, and NGC 4657. These galaxies interact with each other, and together they form an interesting group object, although the exact relationship between them is controversial.
Observations and Photography
The Whale Galaxy is an excellent target for astrophotography. Its unusual shape and bright structures such as dust lanes and star clusters make it an attractive target for telescope observations. With a telescope, you can take spectacular photographs of this galaxy and study its details.
Inspiration for Study
The Whale Galaxy inspires astronomers and space enthusiasts with its beauty and mystery, serving as a reminder of the vastness and diversity of the Universe. Studying it helps expand our knowledge of galactic evolution and our understanding of processes occurring in space.
| Photo | Date | Frames | Exposure | R | G | B | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 09 Apr 2021 | 24 | 02:00 | 00:40 | 00:40 | 00:30 | 00:10 |
 | 25 Aug 2020 | 24 | 02:00 | 00:40 | 00:40 | 00:30 | 00:10 |
Visibility chart of Cetus Galaxy (NGC 4631) 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•