Chilldaddy1964
M51, Whirlpool Galaxy
Astrotech AT60ED F/6 refractor
SkyWatcher AZ-GTi Alt/Az mount
ASI533MC Pro, -5C
112x_8.0s_896s
Bortle 3 skies
Saved as viewed in Sharpcap Pro + Topaz DeNoise AI
The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51a, M51a, and NGC 5194, is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy with a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus. It lies in the constellation Canes Venatici, and was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy. Its distance is estimated to be 31 million light-years away from Earth.
The galaxy and its companion, NGC 5195, are easily observed by amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies can be seen with binoculars. The Whirlpool Galaxy has been extensively observed by professional astronomers, who study it to understand galaxy structure (particularly structure associated with the spiral arms) and galaxy interactions.
M51, Whirlpool Galaxy
Astrotech AT60ED F/6 refractor
SkyWatcher AZ-GTi Alt/Az mount
ASI533MC Pro, -5C
112x_8.0s_896s
Bortle 3 skies
Saved as viewed in Sharpcap Pro + Topaz DeNoise AI
The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51a, M51a, and NGC 5194, is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy with a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus. It lies in the constellation Canes Venatici, and was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy. Its distance is estimated to be 31 million light-years away from Earth.
The galaxy and its companion, NGC 5195, are easily observed by amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies can be seen with binoculars. The Whirlpool Galaxy has been extensively observed by professional astronomers, who study it to understand galaxy structure (particularly structure associated with the spiral arms) and galaxy interactions.