The
Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as
Messier 51a (
M51a) or
NGC 5194, is an
interactinggrand-designspiral galaxy with a
Seyfert 2active galactic nucleus.=10.5px It lies in the
constellationCanes Venatici, and was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy. It is 32 million
light-years away and 109,000 ly (33,280 pc) in diameter.The galaxy and its companion,
NGC 5195, are easily observed by
amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies may be seen with
binoculars.=10.5px The Whirlpool Galaxy has been extensively observed by professional astronomers, and its pair with NGC 5195 who study it to understand galaxy structure (particularly structure associated with the
spiral arms) and galaxy interactions. Its pair with
NGC 5194 is among the most famous and relatively close interacting systems, and thus is a favorite subject of galaxy interaction models.
In Estonian:Veekeerise galaktika ehk Messier 51a ja Messier 51b Suure Vankri lähistel. Meist 31 miljoni valgusaasta kaugusel asuv põrkuv galaktikapaar oli esimene mille puhul tuvastati spiraalstrukutuur (1845, William Parsons). Suurem galaktika on läbimõõdult kusagil 78 tuhat valgusaastat. Eemal ja palju kaugemal paistab serviti galaktika tähisega IC 4263.
Pildistatud 2022. aasta veebruaris.
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