NGC 4631 and NGC 4656 (Whale Galaxy and Hockey Stick)

NGC 4631 (Whale Galaxy) is 25 million light-years away from us. Diameter 140,000 light-years. Apparent size 15.5' × 2.7'. NGC 4656 (Hockey Stick or Crowbar) distance about 30 million light-years. Apparent size 15.3' × 2.4'. The unusual shape is due to interaction between NGC 4656, NGC 4631, and NGC 4627. Both galaxies are in the constellation Canes Venatici and belong to the NGC 4631 group of galaxies.