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Hubble · Caldwell 32 · NASA & ESA

Whale Galaxy

Galaxy in Canes Venatici · 28.189 million light-years (est. from redshift)

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TypeGalaxy
ConstellationCanes Venatici
Right ascension12h 42m 08s
Declination+32° 32′
Object distance28.189 million light-years (est. from redshift)
Apparent magnitude9.2
Apparent size14.4′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter118,079 light-years across
Also known asC32 · NGC 4631
Caldwell 32, popularly known as the Whale Galaxy, is a galaxy (NGC 4631) in the constellation Canes Venatici — a distant island of stars far beyond the Milky Way. It appears as number 32 in the Caldwell catalogue, Sir Patrick Moore's 1995 list of 109 bright deep-sky objects for amateur astronomers. It spans roughly 14.4 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 9.2, it shows up in a small backyard telescope.

Although it appears about 14.4′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 118,079 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Whale Galaxy

Whale Galaxy lies in the constellation Canes Venatici and is best placed in the evening sky around March. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the northern hemisphere, and sits low for those far south. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies. Note that the listed magnitude is spread across the whole object — diffuse galaxies and nebulae are often harder to see than the number alone suggests, so dark, moonless skies help a great deal.

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Sources

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