Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  IC 4263  ·  IC 4277  ·  IC 4278  ·  M 51  ·  NGC 5169  ·  NGC 5173  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  NGC 5198  ·  Whirlpool Galaxy
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Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), stalv0812
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Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

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Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), stalv0812
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Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

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Description

M51, also known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, is a grand design spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. It's one of the most famous galaxies in the sky, and it's particularly well-known for its spiral structure. M51 is interacting with a smaller galaxy, NGC 5195, which has passed through the main disk of M51 and is now located behind it.The Whirlpool Galaxy is roughly 23 million light years away from Earth. It's an excellent target for amateur astronomers due to its brightness and the clear view of its spiral arms. M51 was the first galaxy where spiral structure was identified, by Lord Rosse in 1845.The central region of M51 has been extensively studied because it contains an active galactic nucleus, suggesting the presence of a supermassive black hole. The galaxy's spiral arms are also regions of active star formation, making M51 an excellent laboratory for studying the processes that lead to the formation of new stars.

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Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), stalv0812