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

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Whirlpool Galaxy - M51, jhawn
Whirlpool Galaxy - M51
Powered byPixInsight

Whirlpool Galaxy - M51

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Description

The Whirlpool Galaxy is a “grand-design” spiral galaxy located in Canes Venatici at a distance of approximately 32 million-light years,  shining at magnitude 8.4.   It is accompanied by an interacting companion dwarf galaxy NGC 5194 which  is thought, due to tidal forces, to be responsible for M51's distinctive spiral structure.   Imaging in hydrogen-alpha light accentuates star forming regions as reddish knots in the spiral arms.

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Whirlpool Galaxy - M51, jhawn