The View Toward M106 . ... Also known as NGC 4258, M106 is about 80,000 light-years across and 23.5 million light-years away, the largest member of the Canes II galaxy group. For a far away galaxy, the distance to M106 is well-known in part because it can be directly measured by tracking this galaxy's remarkable maser, or microwave laser emission. ... Another prominent spiral galaxy on the scene, viewed nearly edge-on, is NGC 4217 below and right of M106. ... NASA Official: Jay Norris. ...