The Whale Galaxy is a barred spiral galaxy.

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It was discovered by William Herschel in 1787.

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Its distance from Earth is estimated at 30 million light years.

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It is best to observe it in spring, when it is highest in the sky.

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It can be observed as a speck through 15-centimeter telescopes in good conditions.

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Its diameter is estimated to be 140,000 light years.

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The Whale Galaxy owes its name to the fact that its plane is perpendicular to the observer from Earth, which is why it appears to resemble a whale.

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