OBJECT INFORMATION

Name/Designation	NGC 4631 (Whale Galaxy) & NGC 4656/4657 (Crowbar Galaxy)
Object Type	Spiral Galaxy / Barred Spiral Galaxy
Constellation	Canes Venatici
Distance	~30 million light-years
Apparent Magnitude	~10
Angular Size	~15′

IMAGING

Date	May 26–31 & June 21–24, 2025
Location	Athens, Greece
Frames	648 × 60″ exposures
Integration	10h 48m
Camera Settings	Gain 101 | Temperature: -5°C
Bortle Scale	8/9 (City sky)

EQUIPMENT

Telescope	Sky-Watcher Explorer 130PDS
Camera	ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Mount	Sky-Watcher EQ5 Pro
Filter	Baader UV/IR Cut Luminance
Accessory	Baader 2″ MPCC Mark III
Guide Scope	Artesky 32mm Mini
Guide Camera	ZWO ASI120MM Mini

SOFTWARE

Acquisition	Astro Photography Tool
Guiding	PHD2 Guiding
Processing	PixInsight
Plugins	RC Astro