NGC 4565 is an edge-on Hubble class Sb galaxy that lies approximately 40 million light-years from Earth. It marks the Milky Way’s north galactic pole, just as Polaris marks the north celestial pole. We view it perpendicular to the dust plane, providing a view virtually unimpeded by dust.  It's equatorial dark dust lane divides its central bulge almost equally. Exposures: L:R:G:B=170:100:100:100=7hours 50 minutes total exposure at f/11.

This image was published in the March, 2017 issue of Astronomy Magazine.