NGC4236

NGC4236 is a large barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Draco.  This galaxy is probably part of the M81/M82 group of galaxies (some references say it may be part of its own group) and lies around 12 million light years away.  This galaxy is rather dim and the red data is also very weak suggesting that there may be some obscuration in its direction.

This galaxy appears to contain a number of very large, young open clusters as well.  These clusters appear to have a mass about 10 times that of the open clusters in the Milky Way galaxy.  There is some evidence that these have been formed by interactions with other galaxies in the M81 group.  This large number of young open clusters may also partially explain the apparent blueness of this galaxy.