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Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565)

spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices

The Needle Galaxy is a spiral seen almost exactly edge-on, a long thin streak crossed by a dark dust lane, in Coma Berenices. It is one of the best edge-on spirals in the sky.

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Approximate size and shape, drawn to scale. Not a photograph.

// Key facts

Catalog: NGC 4565
Type: spiral galaxy
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Size: 16′ across
Brightness: Magnitude 9.6
Distance: about 40 million light-years
Peak month (any location): Mar
Typical prime months: Jan to Jun
Difficulty: Intermediate
Filter: No filter (broadband); a light-pollution filter is optional

// For your location

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How to image Needle Galaxy

At 16 arcminutes, use 1,000 to 1,500 mm to show the dust lane.
It is high in the sky from northern sites in spring.
Long exposure shows the faint halo above and below the disc.

Framing: what focal length?

NGC 4565 is small, so a "60% of the frame" focal length would be impractical. Here is how much of an APS-C frame it covers at common long focal lengths; expect to crop.

Focal length	Share of the frame width
1,000 mm	about 20%
2,000 mm	about 40%
3,000 mm	about 59%

How high does it climb from your latitude?

The highest point NGC 4565 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.

Latitude	Highest point	Rating
55°N (Scotland, Alaska)	61°	High in the sky
45°N (Minneapolis, Milan)	71°	High in the sky
35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo)	81°	High in the sky
25°N (Miami, Cairo)	89°	High in the sky
35°S (Sydney, Santiago)	29°	Stays low

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