Whirlpool Galaxy
Catalog: M51
The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as M51, is one of the most iconic spiral galaxies in the night sky. Located about 31 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici, it is famous for its beautifully defined spiral arms and its ongoing interaction with its smaller companion galaxy, NGC 5195. That gravitational encounter is helping shape the galaxy’s structure, drawing out streams of material and enhancing the dramatic patterns that make M51 such a captivating target. Images of the Whirlpool Galaxy offer a striking view of galactic architecture in motion, revealing both elegance and turbulence on an enormous scale.
Acquisition Data
| Camera | ZWO ASI294MC-Pro |
|---|---|
| Telescope / Optic | Explore Scientific ES-ED80-CF |
| Mount | Celestron Advanced VX |
| Focal Length | 480 mm |
| f/Ratio | 6 |
| Sub Exposure | 30 sec |
| Total Integration | 3h 45m |
| Bortle Class | 5 |
| Imaging Date(s) | January 2025 |
| Location | Kansas City |
Target Data
| Target Object | Whirlpool Galaxy |
|---|---|
| Catalog ID | M51 |
| Constellation | Canes Venatici |
| RA | 13h 29m 52.7s |
| Dec | 47° 11′ 43″ |
| Apparent Magnitude | 8.4 |
| Distance | 30.5 Mly |