Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  IC 4277  ·  IC 4278  ·  M 51  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  Whirlpool Galaxy
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M51 Whirlpool Galaxy, Greg Meyer MD
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M51 Whirlpool Galaxy, Greg Meyer MD
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Description

M51, the Whirlpool Nebula. 31 million light-years from Earth. Some astronomers think that the Whirlpool’s arms are particularly prominent because of the effects of a close encounter with NGC 5195, the small, yellowish galaxy at the outermost tip of one of the arms. The compact galaxy appears to be tugging on the arm, the tidal forces from which trigger new star formation. They have been interacting with each other for hundreds of millions of years. The red areas are giant star-forming areas.

Taken from my rooftop in downtown Phoenix, AZ. Have some Ha data to add when i figure out how.

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M51 Whirlpool Galaxy, Greg Meyer MD

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