M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (Click to enlarge)

	Object Details:   Object Type:  Spiral Galaxy Constellation:  Canes Venatici Distance:  Perhaps 37 million light-years Diameter:  100,000 light-years

	M51 Whirlpool Galaxy   M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, was the first galaxy discovered to exhibit a spiral structure.  Material appears to be flowing from M51 to its companion galaxy, NGC 5195.  This is believed to be caused by a close or grazing collision of the two galaxies.   Amazingly this object can be imaged in light-polluted skies with a nebula filter, and this view is better than I've ever seen it through the telescope.  But it doesn't compare to other images on the web.   Return to IMAGES

	Image Details:   Date:  April 10, 2004 Site:  Harahan, LA Exposure:  CCD, 10 x 5 min., f/3.3 reducer Filters:  Orion Skyglow (Broadband LPR) Processing:  MSB Astroart 3.0 Telescope:  10" f/10 Meade LX200 SCT Mount:  Milburn Wedge CCD:  Starlight Express MX7C (Color) Autoguider:  S.T.A.R. 2000