NGC 4305

NGC 4305 is a dwarf spiral galaxy located about 100 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. The galaxy was discovered by astronomer John Herschel on May 2, 1829. Although considered to be a member of the Virgo Cluster, its high radial velocity and blue luminosity suggest it is in fact a background galaxy. The galaxy has a nearby major companion; NGC 4306.

NGC 4305 exhibits well-defined, smooth spiral arms which terminate well outside its central bulge. This spiral structure appears to have been induced by a tidal interaction with NGC 4306. Such a tidal interaction would also explain its deficiency in neutral hydrogen gas (HI).