NGC 4216 is a large, edge-on spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo, about 55 million light-years from Earth. It is one of the brighter members of the Virgo Cluster and spans over 100,000 light-years, making it comparable in size to the Milky Way.

This galaxy is notable for its well-defined disk, dark dust lanes, and rich stellar population. Seen nearly edge-on, NGC 4216 offers a striking view of its structure, with a prominent central bulge and extended spiral arms. It has a relatively low rate of star formation compared to more active spirals, suggesting it may be transitioning to a more passive evolutionary phase.

NGC 4216 also shows signs of gravitational interactions, including stellar streams and possible satellite remnants, indicating it has accreted smaller galaxies in the past. These features make it an important subject for studying galaxy evolution and the effects of environment within galaxy clusters.

As a bright and nearby spiral, NGC 4216 is frequently observed by both professional astronomers and amateur skywatchers interested in the structure and dynamics of galaxies.

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