NGC 4559 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices. At mag. +10.0 it can be spotted with binoculars, but is challenging, requiring dark skies and patience. However, its high surface brightness does somewhat help. The galaxy is a nice telescope target that offers something for all sizes of backyard instruments.

NGC 4559 was discovered by William Herschel on April 11, 1785 and is estimated to be 30 million light-years distant. It's best seen from northern locations during the months of March, April and May.

Finder Chart for NGC 4559 - pdf format (credit:- freestarcharts)

NGC 4559 is located at the northeastern edge of the large naked eye Coma Star Cluster, which contains approx. 50 members including 12,13,14,16 and 21 Comae Berenices. Positioned a couple of degrees to the west is Gamma Comae Berenices (γ Com - mag. +4.4). The superb Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565) is located 2 degrees south of NGC 4559.

Through a 100mm (4-inch) scope at low magnifications, NGC 4559 is obviously oval shaped, spanning 10 x 4 arc minutes. The nucleus appears condensed, bright and surrounded by a hazy stream of soft light. Larger backyard scopes show significant mottling within the halo, which corresponds to the numerous dust lanes and bright nebulae located within the galaxy's arms. There are three 13th magnitude stars visible that curve in shape at the southeastern edge of the galaxy.

In 1941, a mag. +13.2 supernova (SN 1941a) was seen in NGC 4559. The galaxy is number 36 in the Caldwell catalogue.

NGC 4559 Data Table