The Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565) is one of the most famous edge-on spiral galaxies in the sky, seen so perfectly side-on that it looks like a glowing sliver of light pierced by a dark ribbon of dust. About a third larger than our own Milky Way, it gives astronomers a stunning preview of what our galaxy would look like from the outside, with its bright golden bulge bulging above a razor-thin disk.

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Deep-sky object

Andromeda Galaxy

Another cosmic wonder

Deep-sky object

Antennae Galaxies

Another cosmic wonder

Deep-sky object

Black Eye Galaxy

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Deep-sky object

Bode's Galaxy

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Deep-sky object

Pinwheel Galaxy

Another cosmic wonder

Deep-sky object

Sculptor Galaxy

Another cosmic wonder