Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  IC 4263  ·  IC 4277  ·  M 51  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  Whirlpool Galaxy
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Whirlpool Galaxy, Chris Smith
Whirlpool Galaxy
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Whirlpool Galaxy

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Whirlpool Galaxy, Chris Smith
Whirlpool Galaxy
Powered byPixInsight

Whirlpool Galaxy

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Description

The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), located ~23M LY from Earth, is a spiral galaxy similar to our own Milky Way. The galaxy is interacting with another dwarf galaxy (M51b) seen at the bottom of the image, and is connected through a large bridge of dust and gas. The two galaxies have already passed through each other at least once in the merger. The reddish pink areas of the galaxy are areas with strong Hydrogen Alpha signals and show where new star formation is likely occurring fueled by the interaction.

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