Tags: Galaxy.
NGC 4631 (also known as the Whale Galaxy or Caldwell 32) is an edge-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. This galaxy’s slightly distorted wedge shape gives it the appearance of a herring or a whale hence its nickname. Because this nearby galaxy is seen edge-on from Earth professional astronomers observe this galaxy to better understand the gas and stars located outside the plane of the galaxy.
