NGC 4565, commonly known as the Needle Galaxy, is a classic edge-on spiral galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices at an approximate distance of 30–50 million light-years. Its nearly perfect edge-on orientation provides a striking view of its thin stellar disk and prominent central bulge, making it one of the best examples of an edge-on spiral galaxy in the night sky.
The structure of NGC 4565 is defined by a bright, elongated disk bisected by a narrow, well-defined dust lane that obscures the central region. This dust lane traces cold interstellar material within the galaxy’s disk, while the surrounding stellar population forms a smooth, extended halo. The central bulge appears slightly boxy, a feature often associated with barred spiral galaxies viewed edge-on. Numerous faint background galaxies are also visible throughout the field, providing additional depth and context to the image.
This image was created using broadband LRGB data acquired from Arnold, CA. The data were collected between April 13 and April 23, 2023, with a total integration time of 24 hours. The processing preserves the natural color and contrast of the galaxy while emphasizing the fine structure of the dust lane and the subtle gradients within the stellar disk and halo.