NGC 4631, NGC 4627

Introduction | Map | My Own Photos | My Own Observations | References

On this page I collect my observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 4631 (Whale/Herring Galaxy) in the constellation Canes Venatici (with companion NGC 4627 and NGC 4656/57).

Introduction

The spiral galaxy NGC 4631 (Whale/Herring Galaxy) in constellation Canes Venatici is seen edge-on. Above it, there is a close companion, the elliptical dwarf galaxy NGC 4627. Both form the galaxy pair Arp 281. Somewhat farther away to the East, there is the barred spiral galaxy NGC 4656/57.

NGC 4631		NGC 4627		NGC 4656/57
Size: 17.0' x 3.5'/15.2' x 2.8' (SkySafari/Wikipedia) Distance: 28 millions light years (Wikipedia) Rating: ---		Size: 1.7' x 1.0' (Wikipedia) Distance: 28 millions light years (assumption) Rating: ---		Size: 15.3' × 2.4' (Wikipedia) Distance: 30 millions light years Rating: ---

Map

The spiral galaxy NGC 4631 (Whale/Herring Galaxy) in constellation Canes Venatici (selected) (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

My Own Photos

eVscope


NGC 4631 - Apr 19, 2020, fuzzy		NGC 4631 - Apr 19, 2020, fuzzy, processed

NGC 4631 - Apr 21, 2020		NGC 4631 - Apr 21, 2020, processed

NGC 4631 - May 21, 2020		NGC 4631 - May 21, 2020, processed

NGC 4631 - May 21, 2020		NGC 4631 - May 21, 2020, processed

Vespera Pro


NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (180 frames = 1800s)		NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (180 frames = 1800s), processed (PSE)

NGC 4631 , May 25, 2024 - 2000p (180 frames = 1800s), additionally denoised (DN)		Evaluation with nova.astrometry.net: NGC 4627, NGC 4656, NGC 4657

NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (152 frames = 1520s), mosaic		NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 2000p (152 frames = 1520s), mosaic, processed (PSE)

NGC 4631 , May 25, 2024 - 2000p (152 frames = 1520s), mosaic, additionally denoised (DN)		Evaluation with nova.astrometry.net: NGC 4627, NGC 4656, NGC 4657

NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (180 frames = 1800s), section		NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (180 frames = 1800s), section, processed

NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (180 frames = 1800s), mosaic, section		NGC 4631, May 25, 2024 - 1800p (180 frames = 1800s), mosaic, section, processed

My Own Observations

Observations April 2020

April 19, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 4631 photographed, regrettably not quite sharp; NGC 4627 can be found on the photo
April 21, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): NGC 4631 photographed; NGC 4627 can be found on the photo
May 21, 2020 (Erkerode: eVscope): NGC 4631 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay; NGC 4627 can be found on the photo

Observations May 2024

May 22, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): NGC 4631 photographed with some more small galaxies - normally (30 min) and as a small mosaic (two rounds, 25 min)

References

NGC 4631 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_4631
NGC 4627 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_4627
NGC 4656 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_4656
NGC 4656 and NGC 4657 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_4656_and_NGC_4657