Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  IC 4263  ·  IC 4277  ·  IC 4278  ·  M 51  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  Whirlpool Galaxy
Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M51, The Whirlpool Galaxy, Chris Plonski
Powered byPixInsight

M51, The Whirlpool Galaxy

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M51, The Whirlpool Galaxy, Chris Plonski
Powered byPixInsight

M51, The Whirlpool Galaxy

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

M51 is also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy and is located about 31 million light years away in the constellation of Canes Venatici near the handle of the Big Dipper. It is a grand design spiral galaxy interacting with NGC 5195 and producing significant tidal tails seen both above and below this beautiful nearly 77 thousand light year wide galactic spiral staircase!

Comments