M51_NLStr_OSC_Full resolution_2712x2008_U_100
The magnificent Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51 / NGC 5194), and its companion NGC5195, in the constellation of Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs). It is without doubt the best and most famous example of a spiral galaxy that is presented face-on to our perspective, and probably only Messier 31, the Andromeda galaxy, is as well-known.
There is a plethora of other galaxies in this image, and I have cropped the image to show the largest of these as a trailing arc leading towards the right. If you look closely and zoom in to the image there are many more small galaxies visible.
M51_NLStr_OSC_Full resolution_2712x2008_U_100
The magnificent Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51 / NGC 5194), and its companion NGC5195, in the constellation of Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs). It is without doubt the best and most famous example of a spiral galaxy that is presented face-on to our perspective, and probably only Messier 31, the Andromeda galaxy, is as well-known.
There is a plethora of other galaxies in this image, and I have cropped the image to show the largest of these as a trailing arc leading towards the right. If you look closely and zoom in to the image there are many more small galaxies visible.