NGC 4581 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is approximately 60 million light-years away from Earth and is part of the Virgo Cluster, a group of galaxies that are gravitationally bound together. Discovered by the astronomer William Herschel in 1784, NGC 4581 has a bright central bar structure and well-defined spiral arms. Its classification as a barred spiral galaxy indicates that it has a central bar of stars that extends from its nucleus, influencing the motion of stars and gas within the galaxy.