Right ascension 12 36 20.8 Redshift 0.004103 Type SA(s)b? | Declination +25° 59′ 16″ Helio radial velocity 1230 ± 5 km/s Magnitude 10.42 Apparent magnitude (V) 10.42 | |
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Distance 42.7 ± 12 Mly (13.1 ± 3.7 Mpc)53 ± 4 Mly (16.2 ± 1.3 Mpc) Similar NGC 4631, NGC 891, NGC 4559, NGC 7331, NGC 2403 |
Ngc 4565 the needle galaxy from the kleinfriesen observatory 48
NGC 4565 (also known as the Needle Galaxy or Caldwell 38) is an edge-on spiral galaxy about 30 to 50 million 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 an edge-on spiral galaxy.
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Characteristics

NGC 4565 is a giant spiral galaxy more luminous than the Andromeda Galaxy. Much speculation exists in the literature as to the nature of the central bulge. In the absence of clear-cut dynamical data on the motions of stars in the bulge, the photometric data alone cannot adjudge among various options put forth. However, its exponential shape suggested that it is a barred spiral galaxy. Studies with the help of the Spitzer Space Telescope not only confirmed the presence of a central bar but also showed a pseudobulge within it as well as an inner ring.

NGC 4565 has at least two satellite galaxies, one of which is interacting with it. It has a population of roughly 240 globular clusters, more than the Milky Way.