Another of William Herschel's discoveries, NGC 4517 is an edge on spiral galaxy located in the Virgo II Groups of galaxies. The Virgo II Groups are also known as the Virgo II Cloud and the Virgo Southern Extension. These names refer to over 100 galaxy clusters and individual galaxies that stretch 30 mega-light years off the southern edge of the Virgo Supercluster. I had never heard these terms before. NGC 4517 is around 40 million light years distant. This galaxy appeared as a streak of light that appeared to hang from a foreground star (north). I was also able to make out a dark lane just south of the foreground star and some mottling along the length of the galaxy. This was a beautiful view in a dark sky. Thanks for looking!
Clear skies,
Randolph