Credits: Keith Turnecliff, Long Itchington

NGC 4631, also known as the Whale Galaxy, contains a central starburst, which is a region of intense star formation.
The strong star formation is evident in the emission from ionized hydrogen and interstellar dust heated by the stars formed in the starburst.

Facts about NGC4567 and NGC4631 by Keith Turnecliff

So many supernovae have exploded in the center of NGC 4631 that they are blowing gas out of the plane of the galaxy.

This star chart represents a view from Long Itchington for mid-May at 10pm.
Credits: Image courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus 8, researched and implemented by Keith Turnecliff.