The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51

The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51

The Whirlpool Galaxy, is 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.

The Whirlpool Galaxy click to enlarge

Distance to Earth: 23.16 million light years

Radius: 30,000 light years

Age: 400.3 million years

Stars: 100 billion

Image details

-Equipment-

Scope: Celestron EdgeHD 8

Mount: Atlas Pro with Polemaster

Tripod: iOptron TriPier

Guiding: Borg 50mm with Orion Star-shoot

Camera: sBig STF-8300m with FW8 filter wheel

Filters: Baader 32mm LRGB, Binned 2x2

-Software-

Processing: PixInsight, Photoshop:

Acquisition: SGP

I’ve been a dedicated to Squarespace fan for 20 years. Love the product, people and company.