This deep-space portrait features NGC 4631, commonly known as the Whale Galaxy—a striking edge-on spiral galaxy located about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Its elongated shape and subtle warp resemble a breaching whale, while surrounding star fields and faint galactic structures hint at past gravitational encounters, particularly with its smaller companion, NGC 4627.

Captured over three nights in March 2025, this image combines 16 hours and 30 minutes of data using a remote 8-inch reflector telescope and a cooled monochrome camera, paired with both broadband and narrowband filters from @starfront_observatories. The result is a richly detailed view of this elegant galactic swimmer in a sea of stars.

NGC 4631, often called the Whale Galaxy due to its elongated, fish-like profile, is a stunning edge-on spiral galaxy located about 25 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Spanning roughly 140,000 light-years, it's slightly larger than our Milky Way and teems with star-forming regions that radiate brightly in ultraviolet and hydrogen emissions. Its thick, warped disk and bright central bulge create the illusion of a breaching whale gliding through the cosmos.

This galaxy is also notable for its strong halo of hot gas visible in X-ray and radio wavelengths—a signature of vigorous star formation and stellar winds pushing material far above the galactic plane. NGC 4631 is gravitationally interacting with its nearby companion, NGC 4627, a dwarf elliptical galaxy, which may be partially responsible for its distorted shape and turbulent starburst activity. Together, they form an intriguing and photogenic duo in the deep sky.

Located 30 million light years distant in constellation Canes Venatici. Imaged using 8 inch RC telescope @ f/8 unguided, MyT mount, QSI 683 mono camera. exposure times RGB 34 x 240 seconds per channel, L 168 x 240 seconds & 40x 480 seconds, HA 24 x 900 seconds.

Copyright: Matthew Herbik