NGC 4781 -- Barred Spiral Galaxy in Virgo
A Tiny Dim Barred Spiral Galaxy in Virgo
The galaxy NGC 4781 is just one of hundreds of galaxies belonging to the Virgo Super Cluster
of Galaxies within reach of amateur telescopes. This small and dim galaxy would rarely be
visited were it not one of the Herschel 400 deep sky objects that are sought out by amateur
astronomers. With the 155mm refractor from my suburban home, it is but a small faint smudge
of light showing no details. Only in the mind’s eye can one see that it is a powerhouse collection
of countless stars, galactic dust and glowing gas spanning thousands of light years in size.
of Galaxies within reach of amateur telescopes. This small and dim galaxy would rarely be
visited were it not one of the Herschel 400 deep sky objects that are sought out by amateur
astronomers. With the 155mm refractor from my suburban home, it is but a small faint smudge
of light showing no details. Only in the mind’s eye can one see that it is a powerhouse collection
of countless stars, galactic dust and glowing gas spanning thousands of light years in size.