Introduction | Map | Find/Identify | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos
On this page I collect my observations of the spiral galaxy M 106 (NGC 4258) and the small spiral galaxy NGC 4248, the galaxies NGC 4217 and NGC 4220, as well as NGC 4231 und NGC 4232 in the constellation Canes Venatici.
According to Stoyan, the spiral galaxy M 106 in the constellation Canes Venatici can be seen in the smallest binoculars and is an easy object for small telescopes. This is probably true only for dark skies, because I had trouble to recognize this object in the telescope at all. For the eVscope, however, this galaxy was not a problem. In addition, on some of my photos I found the small barred spiral galaxy NGC 4248 close to a star.
On a Vespera photo, I also found the galaxy NGC 4220 (lenticular; and there is also the spiral galaxy NGC 4217 near by, but not yet on a photo) as well as NGC 4231 (lenticular) and NGC 4232 (spiral). NGC 4231 and NGC 4232 form the gravitationally-coupled galaxy pair Holm 356.
M 106 | NGC 4248 | NGC 4220 | NGC 4217 | |||
Size: 18.6' x 7.2' (Wikipedia) |
Size: 2' x 0.9' (SkySafari) Distance: 36 million light years (SkySafari) Rating: --- |
Size: 3.3' x 1.0' (SkySafari) Distance: 61 million light years (SkySafari) Rating: --- |
Size: 5.4' x 1.6' (SkySafari) Distance: 61 million light years (SkySafari) Rating: --- |
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NGC 4231 (Holm 356) | NGC 4232 (Holm 356) | |||||
Size: 1.2' x 1.1' (Wikipedia) Distance: 334 million light years (Wikipedia) Rating: --- |
Size: 1.3' x 0.7' (Wikipedia) Distance: 327 million light years (Wikipedia) Rating: --- |
The spiral galaxy M 106 is located in constellation Canes Venatici, but is easiest to find from the Big Dipper (see further down). (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)
The spiral galaxy M 106 in constellation Canes Venatici with its neighboring galaxy NGC 4248 (selected; image created with Stellarium)
Find: The spiral galaxy M 106 in constellation Canes Venatici is easiest to find from the Big Dipper. I imagine a line between the two stars Dubhe and Phecda in constellation Ursa Major (or asterism Big Dipper), and if you continue this line for about the same distance, you will arrive at M 106.
Identify: If the spiral galaxy M 106 in the constellation Canes Venatici was found in the way as described above, it is also identified, because it stands relatively alone.
M 106 - Jun 7, 2023; with NGC 4248, and NGC 4220, 10800s, original |
M 106 - Jun 7, 2023, NGC 4248, and NGC 4220 (right) marked, as well as NGC 4231 and NGC 4232 (at the bottom), 10800s, large |
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Evaluation with nova.astrometry.net, NGC 4231 and NGC 4232 at the bottom |
M 106 - Jun 7, 2023; with NGC 4248 and NGC 4220, 10800s, original |
M 106 - Jun 7, 2023, NGC 4248 and NGC 4220 (right) marked, as well as NGC 4231 and NGC 4232 (at the bottom), 10800s, large |
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Evaluation with nova.astrometry.net, NGC 4231 and NGC 4232 at the bottom |