Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  IC 4277  ·  IC 4278  ·  M 51  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  Whirlpool Galaxy
M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (2012), Kirk
M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (2012)
Powered byPixInsight

M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (2012)

M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (2012), Kirk
M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (2012)
Powered byPixInsight

M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (2012)

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

M51- is a Spiral Galaxy (common name: The Whirlpool Galaxy) Located within the constellation Canes Venatici, M51 is found by following the eastern most star of the Big Dipper, Eta Ursae Majoris (Alkaid), and going 3.5° southeast.

Distance: 23 million light years from Earth, 38 million Light Years across (Companion galaxy NGC5195 )

This is my 3rd try on this target in 3 years. See the others for comparison.

Taken: May 17 & 18, 2012

Telescope: AT8RC at f/8

Mount: G11 w/ Gemini II

Camera: SBIG ST8300M @ -10C

Filter(s):

IDAS LPS-P2-48

Luminance 36 x 5min. bin 1x1

Red 12 x 5min. bin 1x1

Green 12 x 5 min. bin 1x1

Blue 12 x 5 min. bin 1x1

Exposure Time: 6 hours

Comments

Sky plot

Sky plot

Histogram

M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (2012), Kirk