Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  IC 4277  ·  IC 4278  ·  M 51  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  Whirlpool Galaxy
Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Messier 51A. The Whirlpool Galaxy-my latest attempt!, Mark C. Helton
Powered byPixInsight

Messier 51A. The Whirlpool Galaxy-my latest attempt!

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Messier 51A. The Whirlpool Galaxy-my latest attempt!, Mark C. Helton
Powered byPixInsight

Messier 51A. The Whirlpool Galaxy-my latest attempt!

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

One of my favorite galaxies to image.  There is so much more to this galaxy than meets the eye, or image.  Every time I image it, I seem to be able to bring out more of the halo that is around these two galaxies.  The smaller yellowish galaxy is NGC 5195. From what I am reading, the two galaxies are actually not interacting but appear to be from our point of view.  But maybe I am reading that wrong!  The NASA website says not really, Wikipedia says yes, they are close and interacting.   There is a lot of star formation in the grand design spiral arms of Messier 51A.  Always a good way to start galaxy season.  Had an unexpected clear night last night.  My motorized focuser is kaput right now, so I had to go old school, and manually focus!  Hopefully will be getting a new focuser soon! Clear Skies
Mark

Comments