This galaxy is known as a barred spiral galaxy. Galaxies are classified according to their shape and do not always appear to us face on. This galaxy is at an angle so that we cannot see its actual shape (see M101 or M51 for examples of face on galaxies). NGC 4236 is roughly 11 million light years from earth and is seen in the constellation Draco. This image was taken with the Astro-Physics AP160EDF refractor.
NGC 4236
