The Whirlpool Galaxy
http://www.dearastronomer.com/
The above image is comprised of data from the 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope. Image Credit: NASA/HST
One of my absolute favorite objects in the night sky to image with my telescope is the Whirlpool Galaxy. Of course, my 8″ telescope can’t match the views from a 0.9 meter telescope at Kitt Peak, and the Hubble space telescope, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to get the best images I can with my telescope and DSLR.
Also known as NGC 5194, and Messier Object 51, The Whirlpool Galaxy is a near-textbook example of a “classic” spiral galaxy. Since M51 is only 30 million light years away, and has a diameter of 60 thousand light years, it is one of the brightest and often imaged galaxies in the night sky.
Source: NASA Image of the Day Gallery
Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer
2013-02-27 13:52:20
Source: http://www.dearastronomer.com/2013/02/26/the-whirlpool-galaxy/
Source:
