Posted on 10/06/2022 3:01:52 PM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: NGC 4631 is a big beautiful spiral galaxy. Seen edge-on, it lies only 25 million light-years away in the well-trained northern constellation Canes Venatici. The galaxy's slightly distorted wedge shape suggests to some a cosmic herring and to others its popular moniker, The Whale Galaxy. Either way, it is similar in size to our own Milky Way. In this sharp color image, the galaxy's yellowish core, dark dust clouds, bright blue star clusters, and red star forming regions are easy to spot. A companion galaxy, the small elliptical NGC 4627 is just above the Whale Galaxy. Faint star streams seen in deep images are the remnants of small companion galaxies disrupted by repeated encounters with the Whale in the distant past. The Whale Galaxy is also known to have spouted a halo of hot gas glowing in X-rays.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
Stacey! Is that you?
Thanks, MtClimber. Every time I look at one of these galaxies in a close-up view, it is awe inspiring. Clouds of stars!!
It looks like a whale…..eating a cheeseburger….with extra pickles.
Now Led Zepplin’s “Moby Dick” is stuck in my head. Heh.
Lots of blue stars, bright and hot.
Is that the Pot of Petunia Galaxy next to it?
So you see it too! It is not just me.
Once again, thank you for these. It is an endless supply of great desktop wallpapers to change out. This one centers real nice... :)
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