NGC 4551 is an elliptical galaxy located about 70 million light-years away[3] in the constellation Virgo.[4] It was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on April 17, 1784.[5] NGC 4551 appears to lie close to the lenticular galaxy NGC 4550. However, both galaxies show no sign of interaction and have different red shifts.[6] Both galaxies are also members of the Virgo Cluster.[7][6]