M51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy in Canes Venatici

The Messier Ten Minute Challenge

M51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy in Canes Venatici

This image was created by median combining 7 x 90 second unfiltered
images taken with a Takahashi Epsilon 250 with SBIG ST-8XE CCD. The
image has been cut down to be 20 x 20 arc minutes in size.

The famous Whirlpool galaxy Messier 51 ( NGC 5194) is one of the most
conspicuous spiral galaxies. The spiral structure is a result of M51's
close encounter with its neighbour NGC 5195 during which the gas in
M51 was disturbed and compressed resulting in the formation of new
stars.

http://www.martin-nicholson.info/ten...llenge/m51.htm


Martin Nicholson, Daventry, England.
http://www.martin-nicholson.info/1/1a.htm

Visit the Astronomical Hall of Shame at http://www.geocities.com/queen5658/