The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a, NGC 5194) is an interacting grand-design, spiral galaxy and is located in the constellation Canes Venatici. It was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy, is 76,900 light-years in diameter, and is between 23 and 31 million light-years away from Earth. It interacts with the small, yellowish galaxy, NGC 5195 (seen to the left of M51 in the photo), which is believed to cause disturbance in the magnetic field lines of M51. Both galaxies are so prominent they may be seen through binoculars (with a sufficiently dark sky).
Several other galaxies can be seen nearby in the photo.
Capture Date: 5/5/23
Askar 107PHQ
ASI2600MC Pro (OSC camera)
ZWO AM5 mount with guiding via ASIAir Plus using an ASI178mm mini and a 60mm F4 guide scope
Light Frames [Total Exposure 1:45] used Antlia Triband Ultra RGB filter -- 600s x 21 frames
All light frames calibrated with dark, flat, and bias frames
Pre- and post-processed in PixInsight
Additional post-processing in Photoshop for exposure adjustments and generation of jpeg
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a, NGC 5194) is an interacting grand-design, spiral galaxy and is located in the constellation Canes Venatici. It was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy, is 76,900 light-years in diameter, and is between 23 and 31 million light-years away from Earth. It interacts with the small, yellowish galaxy, NGC 5195 (seen to the left of M51 in the photo), which is believed to cause disturbance in the magnetic field lines of M51. Both galaxies are so prominent they may be seen through binoculars (with a sufficiently dark sky).
Several other galaxies can be seen nearby in the photo.
Capture Date: 5/5/23
Askar 107PHQ
ASI2600MC Pro (OSC camera)
ZWO AM5 mount with guiding via ASIAir Plus using an ASI178mm mini and a 60mm F4 guide scope
Light Frames [Total Exposure 1:45] used Antlia Triband Ultra RGB filter -- 600s x 21 framesAll light frames calibrated with dark, flat, and bias frames
Pre- and post-processed in PixInsight
Additional post-processing in Photoshop for exposure adjustments and generation of jpeg
Greg, another great image with good detail and color. You're really kicking out the images! Keep 'em coming!
Terri
@terri Paul might feel otherwise, but I'll keep trying to pump them out! 😆 Thanks, Terri.
Greg
Really great shot, Greg! The detail is astounding, and the FOV gives a fine perspective.
-P-
@peter-gillette Thanks so much, Peter! This was a first-timer for me, so it was nice to see it come out reasonably well! It's really a beautiful galaxy.
Greg
