Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  IC 4263  ·  M 51  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  Whirlpool Galaxy
M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Rasa11, paulweingart
M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Rasa11
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M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Rasa11

M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Rasa11, paulweingart
M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Rasa11
Powered byPixInsight

M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Rasa11

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Galaxy SZN - M51 – The Whirlpool Galaxy!  

Named for its swirling structure, the galaxy is classified as a grand-design spiral galaxy, meaning it has two large curving arms where as other spiral galaxies typically have many smaller arms. This galaxy actually consists of two galaxies that had have had a close encounter. The other galaxy (NGC 5195) is thought to have passed through the center of the whirlpool 500 million years ago; it can now be seen at the tail end of one of the grand arms. Half as large as our own Milky Way and sitting 28 million light years away, the area is home to many new star forming regions due to the interaction between the two galaxies.

About 6 hours of good data from two nights, I’m happy with how this turned out

Thanks for looking!

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M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy - Rasa11, paulweingart

In these public groups

Celestron RASA
ASI533MC Pro