8" f5 Newtonian reflector

  ST-8XME, self-guided, binned 1x1, temp -20c, camera control MaxIm DL 4.56

Lumicon Red filter, 780 minutes  (78 x 10 minute subs) 06/3/4/5/6/7/8/2010; seeing 1.9-3.7 FWHM per CCDStack

CCDStack 2.6.3800.24688, Photoshop 7.0

 Rolling Roof Observatory, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (+34d 13m 29s -118h 52m 20s)

The object that forms a 'hook' at the Northern end of NGC 4656 is cataloged as NGC 4657 (1.3'x0.6'. mag 10.5, Cl: SBm). NGC 4656 is about 32.5 minutes SSE from the larger, brighter NGC 4631.

From the NGC / IC Project:

Contemporary Visual Observation(s) for NGC 4656

NGC 4656 = UGC 07907a = MCG +05-30-066a = CGCG 159-065a = PGC 42863
12 43 58.2 +32 10 13
V = 10.5;  Size 15.1x3.0;  SB = 14.5;  PA = 33d

13.1": striking!, fairly bright, very elongated SW-NE.  Appears wider and 
brighter at the SW end.  The NE end hooks sharply east to merge with N4657 which 
may be a part of N4656 and not a separate galaxy. A star or knot is attached at 
the south end.  Appears like a celestial hockey stick!

- by Steve Gottlieb

NGC 4657 = UGC 07907b = MCG +05-30-066b = CGCG 159-065b = PGC 42863
12 44 08.2 +32 12 32
Size 1.1x0.7;  PA = 90d

13.1": fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE.  Attached at the NE end of 
the remarkable galaxy N4656 and elongated at nearly a right angle to the curving 
section of N4656 just W.4

- by Steve Gottlieb